Toyota is a company with a reputation for building durable and long-lasting cars. The Hilux truck, for example, was given the nickname "unkillable" because it failed to be destroyed by the host of the Top Gear show. This Japanese automotive company is now trying to become a sustainable mobility company and they are now ready to open their first smart city by the end of this year.
Toyota Woven City is a smart city project of the future that uses sustainable energy sources, uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology, has only EVs and is pedestrian friendly. The project started in 2020 and is now ready to receive the first residents. Woven City's electricity needs are generated by green hydrogen and solar panels placed on each building.
There is a dedicated zone for pedestrians and electric scooters only. The roads only allow electric vehicles to reduce pollution including public transport. AI is used by residents for various tasks of controlling devices at home and also controlling energy consumption in the city.
Woven City is where Toyota tries out all the mobility technologies they have developed. In the last Olympic Games, Toyota EVs have been used in sports villages and event venues. Now e-Palette bus technology for example will be tested in real future urban areas. Meanwhile, food and goods delivery robots will also operate in Wove City replacing the need for human delivery people.
The earliest residents were Toyota employees and business partners who developed the technologies to be tested. This selected group will be placed in 360 houses that have been completed. The cost of developing Woven City is also high with it estimated to cost £8 billion (~RM48 billion). When completed, it will have an area of 708,000 square meters and 2000 residences.