Toyota Expands Woven City Vision with 12 New Inventors Ahead of September Phase 1 Launch
Toyota Motor Corporation and its mobility innovation arm, Woven by Toyota, Inc. (WbyT), have announced the addition of 12 new Inventors to the Woven City project in Susono City, Japan. This next-generation urban prototype, envisioned as a real-world testing ground for mobility and human-centric innovation, is preparing for the official launch of its first phase on September 25, 2025. The latest cohort of Inventors further underscores Toyota’s ambition to redefine urban living, transportation, and the integration of technology into everyday life.
Woven City: A Vision Taking Shape
Woven City was first introduced to the world at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2020. Described by Toyota as a “living laboratory,” the city is being constructed on the former site of the Higashi-Fuji plant, and it aims to become a testbed for emerging technologies that span mobility, robotics, smart homes, energy infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and more.
After breaking ground in early 2021 and beginning vertical construction in October 2022, Phase 1 of the project was officially completed in October 2024. The site spans approximately 47,000 square meters and will initially house around 360 residents, primarily made up of Toyota Group employees and their families. The wider public will be able to visit from fiscal year 2026 onward.
Now, with final preparations underway for the September 2025 launch, Toyota and WbyT are solidifying the city’s ecosystem by expanding the group of co-creative partners—referred to as “Inventors”—who will play a key role in shaping the technologies and solutions tested in the city.
Welcoming 12 New Inventors to Woven City
The latest announcement brings 12 new Inventors into the fold, each selected for their ability to contribute to the Woven City mission of developing forward-thinking solutions to real-world challenges. Of these, two are external to the Toyota Group:
- Interstellar Technologies Inc., a company focused on rocket and satellite development, joins to work on building a robust rocket production system. Although their activities will take place outside the physical bounds of Woven City, they will benefit from the engineering knowledge and technical support of both Toyota and WbyT.
- Kyoritsu Seiyaku Corporation, a veterinary pharmaceutical company, will explore innovative solutions aimed at enhancing the coexistence between humans and pets—a critical aspect of improving urban quality of life.
The remaining 10 companies are all part of the Toyota Group and include:
- Toyota Industries Corporation
- JTEKT Corporation
- Toyota Auto Body Co., Ltd.
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation
- Aisin Corporation
- DENSO Corporation
- Toyota Boshoku Corporation
- Toyota Motor East Japan, Inc.
- Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
- Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc.
These additions follow the first batch of Inventors announced in January 2025, which included a diverse lineup: Daikin Industries, DyDo DRINCO, Nissin Foods, UCC Japan, and Zoshinkai Holdings, along with Toyota and WbyT themselves. With this latest group, the total number of Inventors has risen to 19, with plans for more to come.
Co-Creation in Action
At the heart of Woven City’s innovation model is a collaborative approach that connects Inventors with “Weavers”—the residents and visitors who interact with and provide feedback on new technologies. The city is designed to foster rapid iteration of prototypes, leveraging Toyota’s renowned manufacturing expertise alongside WbyT’s cutting-edge software platforms, including its Arene operating system for vehicle software development.
Inventors will use WbyT’s suite of proprietary tools and resources to test, refine, and scale their ideas in a controlled but dynamic real-world environment. These collaborative projects are expected to lead to tangible advancements in areas like energy distribution, autonomous mobility, data-driven services, and sustainable living.
A New Accelerator Program
In a bid to further broaden its innovation network, WbyT also announced plans to launch a dedicated Accelerator Program. This initiative will open Woven City’s doors to startups, research institutions, and universities from around the globe. It aims to attract forward-thinking creators who can help shape the future of mobility and urban life. Applications for the Accelerator will open on August 25, with details to be posted on the official Woven City website.
A City That Moves More Than People
More than just a smart city project, Woven City is Toyota’s ambitious reimagining of how humans move—not just physically, but emotionally and socially. The city seeks to broaden the definition of mobility to include the seamless and sustainable movement of people, goods, energy, and information. By doing so, Toyota aims to inspire new forms of connection, wellbeing, and community resilience.
As Phase 1 nears its debut, the project is gaining traction as a globally significant experiment in the future of cities. Through its growing roster of Inventors and its commitment to user-centric innovation, Woven City is set to become a cornerstone of Toyota’s transformation from an automaker into a mobility company for the 21st century.
