Tokyo, Japan - In a bold move, Toyota Motor Chairman Akio Toyoda unveiled his vision for Woven City, a living laboratory for startups and technology innovation, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025. The 175-acre prototype city, located at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan, is now open for business and seeking inventors from around the world.

Toyoda extended an official invitation to anyone inspired to make a difference, saying, "Please consider this your official invitation to join us at Woven City." The city is expected to launch in fall 2025, with a pitch competition and scholarships for startups and individuals who need financial support to bring their ideas to life.

The concept of Woven City was first introduced by Toyoda five years ago at CES 2020, with the initial plan to build a utopian city where people would live and work amongst Toyota's projects, including autonomous e-Palette shuttles and robots. However, Toyoda's vision has since expanded to include electric air taxis, autonomous vehicle tech, and even rockets, as mentioned during his CES 2025 keynote.

Notably, Toyoda acknowledged that Woven City may not generate profits, but emphasized Toyota's responsibility as a global citizen to invest in the collective future, share knowledge, and support new ideas. The company broke ground on the project in February 2021 at the former site of Toyota Motor East Japan's Higashi-Fuji Plant in Susono City.

The first phase of Woven City includes buildings designed for "co-creation" activities, where employees, scientists, entrepreneurs, and retirees will be invited to live and work together. Toyota is also renovating a former facility into a manufacturing hub, with Phase 2 development plans underway, although no timeline has been announced.

Some inventors have already joined Woven City, including WbyT, as well as external companies, startups, and individual entrepreneurs. The city is also in continued discussions with previously announced companies such as ENEOS Corporation, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, and Rinnai Corporation.

Woven City's launch marks a significant milestone in Toyota's efforts to drive innovation and entrepreneurship. As the company opens its doors to inventors and startups, it will be interesting to see how this living laboratory evolves and contributes to the global tech ecosystem.

With Woven City, Toyota is not only showcasing its commitment to innovation but also its willingness to take risks and invest in the future. As Toyoda said, "Maybe [Woven City] won't make Toyota any money, but that's okay." This bold approach could inspire other corporations to rethink their role in driving progress and shaping the future of technology.