The Woven City development will function as a kind of living laboratory, where full-time residents and researchers will be able to test and develop technologies such as autonomy, robotics, personal mobility, smart homes and artificial intelligence in a real-world environment.

“Building a complete city from the ground up, even on a small scale like this, is a unique opportunity to develop future technologies, including a digital operating system for the city’s infrastructure,” commented Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota Motor Corporation.

“With people, buildings and vehicles all connected and communicating with each other through data and sensors, we will be able to test connected AI technology… in both the virtual and physical realms, maximising its potential.”

Although Woven City is a Toyota initiative, Toyoda-san extends an open invitation to other commercial and academic partners to collaborate on the project: “We welcome all those inspired to improve the way we live in the future to take advantage of this unique research ecosystem and join us in our quest to create an ever-better way of life and mobility for all.”

Danish design

Toyota has commissioned Danish architect Bjarke Ingels to design Woven City. The team at Bjarke Ingels Group has led many high-profile projects, including the Two World Trade Center skycraper in New York and the Lego House in Denmark, to Google’s Mountain View and London headquarters. However, this will be Bjarke’s most ambitious design project to date.

“Technologies are beginning to radically change how we inhabit and navigate our cities,” Ingels revealed. “Connected, autonomous, emission-free and shared mobility solutions are bound to unleash a world of opportunities for new forms of urban life.

“With the breadth of technologies and industries that we have been able to access and collaborate with from the Toyota ecosystem of companies, we believe we have a unique opportunity to explore new forms of urbanity with the Woven City that could pave new paths for other cities to explore.”

Carbon neutral buildings

Buildings will be predominantly constructed using carbon neutral wood and adopt a combination of traditional Japanese joinery techniques and robotic production methods. Roof tops will be covered in photo-voltaic panels to generate solar power in addition to the electrical energy generated by the hydrogen fuel cells, and native vegetation will be woven throughout the city.

All homes will be equipped with the latest in human support technologies, from sensor-based artificial intelligence that monitors people’s health, to taking care of basic needs and enhancing daily life. The Woven City project is seen as an opportunity to deploy connected technology with integrity and security, creating a positive outcome that you can trust.

First residents

The initial plan is for 2,000 people to live in Woven City. These will consist of Toyota employees and their families, retired couples, retailers, visiting scientists and industry partners. Further residents will be invited as the project evolves.