Woven City is Toyota’s bold vision of the future. Essentially, it is an experimental urban space designed to test and refine cutting-edge technology in real-world settings. Located at the foot of Mount Fuji in Susono City, this fully functional city will be home to researchers, residents, and businesses working together to shape the future of mobility, AI, and sustainability.
However, Toyota Woven City is not just a test site. It is a real, functioning urban environment where people live, work, and engage in daily life while interacting with emerging technologies. Toyota wants to transition from being solely an automaker to a mobility company that reimagines transportation, energy, and smart city solutions.
The entire city is designed to serve as a “living laboratory,” where engineers, developers, and everyday people experience and refine advanced urban technology. Woven City aims to create solutions that enhance human movement, making life more efficient, sustainable, and connected.
Where is Woven City Located?
Woven City stands on what was once a Toyota car factory in Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture. This location is symbolic. It represents the shift from traditional car manufacturing to the future of mobility. Instead of producing vehicles, the site now fosters next-generation transportation systems, clean energy solutions, and AI-powered living spaces.
The first wave of residents will include around 100 Toyota employees and their families, gradually expanding to 360 people in the first phase. Eventually, Woven City plans to house approximately 2,000 people, including inventors, researchers, and collaborators.
Residents are split into two groups: Inventors and weavers. Inventors include Toyota employees, startups, and technology companies working on futuristic solutions. Weavers are the people who will test and experience these innovations firsthand.
The Unique Street System of Woven City
Woven City features an innovative three-tier street design, ensuring safe and efficient movement for all modes of transportation. The first type of street is dedicated to self-driving and high-speed vehicles, prioritizing efficiency and logistics. The second type is a shared road for pedestrians, bicycles, and slower personal mobility devices like scooters.
The third type is a lush, park-like pathway designed exclusively for walking, encouraging a greener, pedestrian-friendly lifestyle.
This layered approach ensures that different forms of mobility coexist harmoniously. It prioritizes safety, efficiency, and sustainability, aligning with the city’s human-centered design philosophy.
A Hub for Innovation and Collaboration
Woven City thrives on collaboration. The project welcomes companies from diverse industries, including food and beverage, climate control, and education, to contribute to its development. The city operates as an open-source platform where different organizations and startups can test their ideas in a real-world environment.
One of the most exciting tools available is the Digital Twin, a virtual replica of the city that allows researchers to simulate and test urban solutions before applying them to the real world.
Sustainability and Smart Living
Remember, Sustainability is a core principle of Woven City. Buildings are constructed using wood, blending traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern technology. Rooftops feature solar panels, and the city integrates Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell technology to create a clean, renewable energy system.
Smart homes in Woven City use AI and robotics to make daily life more convenient. These homes feature automated grocery deliveries, self-maintaining appliances, and sensor-based AI that manages household tasks like cleaning and waste disposal.
