In a bold move to broaden its horizons, Toyota has announced its plans to build Woven City, a prototype city located at the foot of Mount Fuji. Designed as a living laboratory, Woven City will serve as a testing ground for new technologies, particularly in the realm of mobility. This innovative project covers an impressive 175 acres of land and aims to integrate cutting-edge advancements, including autonomous vehicles.
The company has also made headlines with its recent investment of 7 billion yen (approximately $44.3 million) into Interstellar Technologies, a private Japanese spaceflight company. This partnership will focus on developing a small launch vehicle capable of placing satellites into orbit. Chairman Akio Toyoda revealed this new direction during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025, where he stated, “And speaking of the sky, we’re exploring rockets, too. Because the future of mobility shouldn’t be limited to just Earth, or just one car company.”
Toyota’s exploration into telecommunications is equally ambitious. The company is currently assessing what kind of telecommunications network should be established to support Woven City. Collaborating with Interstellar Technologies, Toyota aims to explore various options for creating a robust infrastructure that can facilitate its futuristic vision.
Woven City, first announced in 2020, has already opened its initial phase. The city is meticulously designed to be a hub for testing new mobility technologies, making it an ideal environment for innovation. Akio Toyoda emphasized the collaborative spirit behind these initiatives, saying, “When it comes to what’s possible when you work together, the sky’s the limit.”
Despite these forward-thinking projects, Toyota has faced criticism over its cautious approach to electric vehicle development. For years, the company has been lambasted for its slow adoption of EV technology, prompting stakeholders to question its commitment to sustainable mobility solutions.
As Toyota navigates the dual challenges of enhancing its image in the electric vehicle market and exploring new frontiers in space, it opens a new chapter that could redefine the future of transportation. The integration of terrestrial and extraterrestrial mobility may very well position Toyota as a leader in a rapidly evolving industry.
Author’s Opinion
Toyota’s vision for the future of mobility—both on Earth and beyond—is undoubtedly impressive, combining the latest technologies in autonomous driving, space exploration, and even telecommunications.
Woven City represents a truly forward-thinking approach to urban planning and technology integration. However, Toyota’s slow response to the electric vehicle revolution remains a critical point of concern. While the company is pushing boundaries in many areas, its hesitance in committing to sustainable, electric-powered transportation risks undermining its broader ambitions.
Toyota must balance its technological explorations with a more aggressive commitment to electrification if it hopes to maintain its leadership in a rapidly shifting automotive industry. The company’s ability to overcome this gap will determine whether its futuristic ventures can truly redefine transportation for the next generation.
