Toyota Engineers Blueprint Japanese Smart City

Plans for a hydrogen-powered city of the future near Mt. Fuji were unveiled by Toyota at the Computer Electronic Show (CES) on Monday (Jan. 6), the company announced.

The blueprint for the connected community called the Woven City comprises a 175-acre site that was a former car factory. It is located at the base of Mt. Fuji in Japan and will be fully-powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

The Woven City will be a “living laboratory” for residents and researchers to create and pilot new technologies like autonomy, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI). The site is being designed by known Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, who helped create noteworthy structures like 2 World Trade Center in Manhattan, and Google’s Mountain View and London headquarters. Woven City will house up to 2,000 people and break ground in 2021.

“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,” said 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 the physical realms … maximizing its potential,” he added.

Commercial and academic partners have an open invitation to participate in this real-world incubator, where worldwide scientists and researchers will advance their own projects.

“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,” said Akio Toyoda.

Last month, Toyota said it was planning to bring advanced self-driving features to commercial vehicles first before rolling out the technology to personal vehicles.