Five years ago, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda took the stage at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to share his ambitious vision for a prototype city, dubbed Woven City. Located at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan, this 175-acre "living laboratory" was designed to bring together Toyota's various projects, including autonomous vehicle technology, robotics, smart home-connected technology, and artificial intelligence (AI). Now, Toyoda is set to return to CES 2023 to finally unveil the fruits of his labor.

According to a teaser video released by Toyota, Toyoda will take center stage at the company's press conference on January 6, during CES media day. The event will be livestreamed on Toyota's website, giving the public a first glimpse into the innovative city. In the video, Toyoda is seen donning a hard hat and safety vest as he explores a modern, multi-story building. As he removes the protective covering from a window, the majestic Mount Fuji comes into view, and he exclaims, "Welcome to Woven City!"

While details about the upcoming showcase are scarce, the tech community is eagerly anticipating the reveal. One of the key questions on everyone's mind is how startups will be incorporated into Woven City. When Toyoda first announced the project in 2020, he emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation. It remains to be seen whether Toyota has followed through on its plans to create a fully connected ecosystem powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

Woven City is not just a showcase for Toyota's technology; it's a testing ground for the company's vision of a sustainable, connected future. By bringing together various stakeholders, including startups, researchers, and industry experts, Toyota aims to create a hub for innovation and experimentation. The city is designed to be a living, breathing entity, with residents and workers living and working alongside the latest technologies.

The unveiling of Woven City at CES 2023 marks a significant milestone for Toyota and the tech industry as a whole. As the world moves towards a more connected, autonomous future, projects like Woven City will play a crucial role in shaping the direction of innovation. With Toyoda's return to CES, the world will be watching to see how his "personal field of dreams" has taken shape.

Stay tuned for TechCrunch's coverage of the Toyota press conference and the unveiling of Woven City. We'll be providing live updates and analysis as the story unfolds.