Toyota opens Woven City amid doubts over project

Toyota Motor Corp opened the doors to the first phase of Woven City, its experimental town meant to act as an incubator for technologies from autonomous driving to artificial intelligence.

- NICHOLAS TAKAHASHI TSUYOSHI INAJIMA

Woven City aims to serve as a test-bed for the innovative technology the world’s No. 1 automaker needs to regain its competitive edge in an industry dominated by battery-powered cars with sophisticated software.

Still, itwas unclear during a Thursday tour for media and stakeholders how the city might fit that requirement.

Few people were seen walking the spotless pathways in the 47,000-square-metre complex in Shi-zuoka, Japan, near Mount Fuji. The town is dotted with a dozen or so buildings, including modern apartments where employees will eventually live, according to the company.

Demonstrations included electric scooters, automated robots that deliver groceries or park cars, and a nursery school where children will be taught basic English.