Toyota Motor has held a ceremony for the construction of a smart city in Japan that will have a road dedicated to autonomous vehicles.
Toyota announced plans to convert the 175-acre site of a former car factory near Mount Fuji into Woven City at CES 2021.
A second road will be dedicated to pedestrians and a third to pedestrians with personal vehicles. There will also be an underground road used to transport goods.
Woven City will also provide a testing environment for personal mobility, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. It is also expected to provide a number of opportunities for business and researchers around the world.
Toyota Motor president Akio Toyoda says: “The unwavering themes of the Woven City are 'human-centred,' 'a living laboratory' and 'ever-evolving.' Together with the support of our project partners, we will take on the challenge of creating a future where people of diverse backgrounds are able to live happily."
The community will start with around 360 residents, mainly senior citizens, families with young children and inventors. It will eventually have a population of more than 2,000 individuals, including Toyota employees.
