"Toyota Woven City," a Test Course for Mobility, Completes Phase 1 Construction and Prepares for Launch

Core Points - Toyota Motor Corporation announced the completion of Phase 1 construction of Toyota Woven City, with an official launch scheduled for fall 2025 or shortly thereafter [1][15] - Woven City is designed as a test course for mobility, showcasing Toyota's commitment to transforming into a mobility company since its initial announcement in 2018 [2][11] - The project has received Japan's first LEED for Communities Platinum certification, highlighting its environmentally conscious and human-centric design [3] Construction and Development - Phase 1 construction was completed in October 2024, following a groundbreaking ceremony on February 23, 2021, at the former site of Toyota Motor East Japan's Higashi-Fuji Plant [2][12] - Renovation of a former facility into a manufacturing hub for Woven City is ongoing, and preparations for Phase 2 have commenced [4] Community and Collaboration - Woven City will host approximately 100 initial residents, primarily Toyota and WbyT staff and their families, with plans to expand to around 360 residents in Phase 1 and a total of approximately 2,000 in future phases [10][12] - The community will include "Inventors" from Toyota, WbyT, external companies, startups, and individual entrepreneurs, fostering collaboration to address societal challenges [5][9] Innovation and Mobility - Woven City aims to redefine mobility by expanding its scope beyond transportation to include the movement of people, goods, information, and energy [11] - The project will also explore advanced technologies, including an investment in Interstellar Technologies Inc. to support rocket mass production [11] Future Plans - An accelerator program for external startups, entrepreneurs, universities, and research institutions is set to begin in summer 2025 [8] - The general public is expected to participate in co-creation activities starting in FY2026 or thereafter [10]