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Toyota builds mini city of the future where 2,000 employees will move in to test EVs, robot pets and self-flying taxis

By ROB HULL, MOTORING EDITOR

Updated:

Car manufacturer Toyota has built a mini city in Japan where thousands of employees will be moved in to test a raft of future technology, including e-mobility vehicles.

The world's most prolific car seller this week unveiled its 'Woven City' - the first purpose-built high-tech village that will become an experimental test bed for autonomous driving, robotics and smart home features. 

A cluster of hydrogen-powered homes, which has been built on the grounds of Toyota's disused factory at the base of Mount Fuji, has already welcomed its first members of staff and their families, which will be made up of inventors and 'weavers' - the term used for those living in the properties.

Bosses at the car giant have touted the village as a real-life setting in which to trial myriad inventions, from flying taxis to robot pets and drones that escort you home at night.

'This is a test course for the future, not just a town,' Toyota's chairman Akio Toyoda told an opening event, according to national broadcaster NHK.

Toyota plans to move in 360 residents in the first phase, building up more than 2,000 staff members living in the city when the project is fully operational.

Toyota's Woven City has been created at the foot of Mount Fuji on the grounds of the car maker's disused factory. Thousands of its staff members will move in with their families to test e-mobility solutions, robotaxis and smart home features

Toyota's Woven City has been created at the foot of Mount Fuji on the grounds of the car maker's disused factory. Thousands of its staff members will move in with their families to test e-mobility solutions, robotaxis and smart home features

The world's first purpose-built hi-tech village has already welcomed its first members of staff and their families, which will be made up of inventors and 'weavers' - the term used for those living in the properties

The world's first purpose-built hi-tech village has already welcomed its first members of staff and their families, which will be made up of inventors and 'weavers' - the term used for those living in the properties

Bosses at the car giant have touted the village as a real-life setting in which to trial myriad inventions, from flying taxis to robot pets and drones that escort you home at night

Bosses at the car giant have touted the village as a real-life setting in which to trial myriad inventions, from flying taxis to robot pets and drones that escort you home at night

Toyota plans to move in 360 residents in the first phase, building up more than 2,000 staff members living in the city when the project is fully operational

Toyota plans to move in 360 residents in the first phase, building up more than 2,000 staff members living in the city when the project is fully operational

Toyoda previously said the $10billion Utopia will become a 'living laboratory where the residents are willing participants' and inventors can test ideas in a secure environment.

'Homes in the Woven City will eventually serve as test sites for future technology, such as in-home robotics, to assist with daily life,' he said in January when unveiling the purpose-built village.

As well as using the company's current bZ4X electric cars, those living on site will also evaluate a range of e-mobility solutions, including hoverboards, e-scooters and 'drones that safely escort you home at night'.

This includes self-flying robotaxis, which is says will complete more than 300 fully automated flights around the city.

Toyota also wants to deploy interactive pet robots to help the elderly and robots to assist with everyday tasks, including preparing and serving food and even folding shirts.

Toyoda previously said the $10billion Utopia will become a 'living laboratory where the residents are willing participants' and inventors can test ideas in a secure environment

Toyoda previously said the $10billion Utopia will become a 'living laboratory where the residents are willing participants' and inventors can test ideas in a secure environment

As well as using the company's current bZ4X electric cars (pictured), those living on site will also evaluate a range of e-mobility solutions, including hoverboards and e-scooters

As well as using the company's current bZ4X electric cars (pictured), those living on site will also evaluate a range of e-mobility solutions, including hoverboards and e-scooters

Toyota wants to become a leader in the world of e-mobility and Woven City is where many of its future urban vehicles will be tested

Toyota wants to become a leader in the world of e-mobility and Woven City is where many of its future urban vehicles will be tested

Residents will use electric cars and the next-generation of e-scooters to move around the city's grounds. They will also have access to self-flying robotaxis

Residents will use electric cars and the next-generation of e-scooters to move around the city's grounds. They will also have access to self-flying robotaxis

The company's e-Palette self-driving buses (pictured) will also be tested at Woven City, among other autonomous logistics and driving technologies

The company's e-Palette self-driving buses (pictured) will also be tested at Woven City, among other autonomous logistics and driving technologies

Equipping the e-Palette with a variety of devices will allow it serve different purposes throughout the day. For example, it can be used as a shuttle bus in the morning and evening, while operating a store during the day while being recharged

Equipping the e-Palette with a variety of devices will allow it serve different purposes throughout the day. For example, it can be used as a shuttle bus in the morning and evening, while operating a store during the day while being recharged

Toyotas has portable hydrogen cartridges that can be used to transport and supply hydrogen energy to power a broad range of everyday applications both in and outside the home. This will likely be deployed and developed in Woven City properties

Toyotas has portable hydrogen cartridges that can be used to transport and supply hydrogen energy to power a broad range of everyday applications both in and outside the home. This will likely be deployed and developed in Woven City properties

Toyota has created interactive pet robots to help the elderly and robots to assist with everyday tasks, including preparing and serving food and even folding shirts

Toyota has created interactive pet robots to help the elderly and robots to assist with everyday tasks, including preparing and serving food and even folding shirts 

'Autonomous driving will be among the many technologies we intend to develop at Woven City,' Toyoda said at CES.

The project, first announced in 2020, is led by his son, Daisuke Toyoda.

'Much like test drivers for cars... our residents will be the ones who use and experience the new products and services our inventors develop.'

The company's e-Palette self-driving buses will also be tested at Woven City, among other autonomous logistics and driving technologies.

Woven City was officially launched on Thursday 25 September. The name is in reference to Toyota's start as a loom manufacturing company

Woven City was officially launched on Thursday 25 September. The name is in reference to Toyota's start as a loom manufacturing company

Speaking at Woven City's official launch last Thursday, Toyota's chairman Akio Toyoda (pictured) said: 'What we will spark here at Woven City is Kakezan [the Japanese term for multiplication in arithmetic]. 'No single company can create meaningful Kakezan on its own; it takes at least two. And the more we come together, the greater the impact of Kakezan'

Speaking at Woven City's official launch last Thursday, Toyota's chairman Akio Toyoda (pictured) said: 'What we will spark here at Woven City is Kakezan [the Japanese term for multiplication in arithmetic]. 'No single company can create meaningful Kakezan on its own; it takes at least two. And the more we come together, the greater the impact of Kakezan'

The village has been created on a former Toyota factory outside Susono City, which is already home to 50,000 people

The village has been created on a former Toyota factory outside Susono City, which is already home to 50,000 people

The Woven City project was first announced by Toyota in 2020 has the project is being led by Daisuke Toyoda, the Toyota Chairman's son

The Woven City project was first announced by Toyota in 2020 has the project is being led by Daisuke Toyoda, the Toyota Chairman's son

Akio Toyoda has described Woven City as a 'test course for the future, not just a town'. Around 2,200 residents will move in once the project is fully up to speed

Akio Toyoda has described Woven City as a 'test course for the future, not just a town'. Around 2,200 residents will move in once the project is fully up to speed

Some 20 enterprises, startups, entrepreneurs, research institutions, and other innovators developing and testing products and services in Woven City

Some 20 enterprises, startups, entrepreneurs, research institutions, and other innovators developing and testing products and services in Woven City

The city is not just a test bed, it is also a showcase of incredible architecture, including this glass-enclosed building at the entry to the village

The city is not just a test bed, it is also a showcase of incredible architecture, including this glass-enclosed building at the entry to the village

Speaking at Woven City's official launch last Thursday, Akio Toyoda said: 'What we will spark here at Woven City is Kakezan [the Japanese term for multiplication in arithmetic]. 

'No single company can create meaningful Kakezan on its own; it takes at least two. And the more we come together, the greater the impact of Kakezan. 

'So let’s gather our efforts, and with them our smiles, so they can multiply and spread without end. 

'When you think about it that way, with smiles, doesn’t it feel like we really can weave a brighter future together?'

Woven City is in reference to Toyota's start as a loom manufacturing company.

The village has been built on the grounds of a former Toyota factory outside Susono City, which is already home to 50,000 people.