Woven City: A Visionary Urban Experiment Shaping the Future of Mobility

In Japan, a groundbreaking city known as Woven City is emerging as a testing ground for the latest technologies. This ambitious initiative, spearheaded by Toyota, is aimed at transforming the company from a traditional automaker into a comprehensive mobility enterprise dedicated to future transportation solutions.

Woven City is not merely a conventional testing facility. It is a fully functional urban habitat where real people live, work, and engage in innovative research. The city serves as a living laboratory, fostering collaboration among inventors, residents, and visitors to explore advancements in mobility technology.

According to Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, Woven City represents an opportunity to invent and develop new products and ideas. This urban experiment encapsulates Toyota’s vision of evolving beyond automobiles and creating a holistic mobility ecosystem that integrates people, goods, information, and energy.

A New Beginning on Old Ground

Nestled in Susono City within Shizuoka Prefecture, Woven City is strategically located on the grounds of a former automotive plant. This intentional repurposing reflects a shift from traditional car manufacturing to a focus on future mobility solutions. The transformation of this site into a hub for innovation signals a progressive leap towards a sustainable urban future.

Building a Community with a Purpose

Woven City is designed with people at its core. The initial residents, numbering around 100, are expected to arrive in the fall. This group primarily comprises Toyota and WbyT (Woven by Toyota) employees and their families. As the city develops, the community is set to grow to approximately 360 residents in its initial phase, eventually accommodating around 2,000 individuals, including inventors, innovators, and guests.

The terms used to describe its residents are significant. ‘Inventors’ include Toyota staff, startups, and entrepreneurs who focus on mobility solutions. ‘Weavers,’ on the other hand, are the residents and visitors who will actively collaborate and experiment with new products and services being developed.

Innovative Design for Enhanced Safety

The design of Woven City includes an innovative street system that separates traffic based on speed and purpose. This unique approach is intended to ensure safety and efficiency while promoting a seamless flow of transport options:

Dedicated Fast Vehicle Lane

This lane allows for autonomous vehicles, enhancing the efficient movement of both people and goods.

Mixed-Use Street

Designed for lower-speed vehicles, this lane accommodates bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians simultaneously.

Pedestrian-Only Areas

These designated spaces are exclusively for pedestrian use, fostering a peaceful environment.

This layered approach enables various modes of transportation to coexist effectively, reflecting Woven City’s human-centered design philosophy.

Co-Creation at the Heart of the City

Woven City is not just about technological testing; it emphasizes the concept of co-creation. By bringing together diverse groups of people, the city aims to develop solutions to societal challenges. Rather than isolating research in traditional labs, inventors engage with everyday life scenarios, observing how their innovations perform in real-time.

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