Toyota poured $10 billion into a compact, sensor‑laden experiment dubbed Woven City. Nestled on a former sheet‑metal plant in Japan, the 70‑hectare site now hosts 100 handpicked residents—“Weavers”—who test autonomous vehicles, robotics and AI‑powered services. The venture signals the automaker’s shift toward full mobility and zero‑accident ambition.

Every corner of the town streams data through an AI Vision Engine that watches for hazards and even monitors shoplifting without facial recognition. Cameras line streets, ceilings, and cafés—over eight per intersection—feeding a data fabric that lets residents opt in or out of each experiment. Between 98 % of Weavers allow a camera‑equipped robot in their homes, indicating high engagement within the controlled environment.

Mobility demos include the Swake, a three‑wheeled scooter that leans for cornering, tops out at 12 mph and travels 3.7 miles on a single charge. Residents also pilot delivery bots, AI karaoke machines, and HVAC units that cut pollen by 95 %. The compact layout—only about 10 % of the planned 175‑acre footprint—limits real‑world testing but accelerates iteration toward a fully autonomous urban ecosystem.

Toyota treats Woven City as a standalone business under Woven by Toyota, Inc. While financials remain private, leadership expects profitability once residents pay for services. The project illustrates how a major automaker can deploy cutting‑edge sensors, data governance and collaborative labs to shape future mobility, even if that means navigating privacy concerns and scaling challenges for long‑term innovation.