On a 175-hectare site at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan, the mobility company wants to build a model metropolis. Presented at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the "Woven City" forms a fully networked ecosystem that uses hydrogen-powered fuel cells.
As a "living laboratory", Woven City will be home to traditional residents as well as researchers who can test and develop technologies such as autonomy, robotics, personal mobility, smart home and artificial intelligence (AI) in a real Environment.
"Building an entire city, 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. With people, buildings and vehicles all connected and communicating via data and sensors, we will be able to test networked AI technology - both virtual and physical," said Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota Motor Corporation.
Toyota is open to cooperation with other commercial and academic partners. Interested scientists and researchers from all over the world are invited to work on their own projects in this unique, real incubator. Toyota has commissioned the Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, CEO of the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), to design Woven City.
The city is planned to be completely sustainable: Mainly wooden buildings, using traditional Japanese woodworking and robot-assisted production methods, reduce the carbon footprint. On the roofs, photovoltaic systems are installed to use solar power in addition to electricity generated by hydrogen fuel cells.
Only completely autonomous, emission-free vehicles will be on the main roads, and Toyota is also planning the city in harmony with nature - with indigenous vegetation and hydroponics.
Initially, there will be room for up to 2'000 people on site, and this number can be gradually increased over time. The apartments will be equipped with the latest assistance technologies such as in-home robotics to support people. Sensor-based artificial intelligence checks the health status of the residents and improves their daily life.
The city also has two parks, a large central park for recreation and a central place for social gatherings, it is intended to bring the community together.
The ground-breaking ceremony for the model metropolis is planned for early 2021.
Further information can be found at www.woven-city.global/
Source: www.toyota.de
