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Toyota opens Woven City as doubts swirl over cost and purpose
Toyota has launched Woven City, a testbed for technologies such as AI and autonomous driving, as it seeks to regain competitiveness in the evolving automotive industry. However, visitors questioned its purpose and cost during an opening tour.
Key points
- Toyota opened the first phase of Woven City aimed at testing technologies.
- The city will focus on innovations like autonomous driving and AI.
- This initiative is crucial for Toyota to remain competitive against the rise of battery-powered cars.
- During a media tour, stakeholders expressed doubts regarding the functionality and cost-effectiveness of Woven City.
Why it matters
- The automotive industry is rapidly shifting towards electric vehicles (EVs) and integrated software solutions, making R&D hubs like Woven City critical.
- As of 2025, trends in AI and smart city infrastructure are gaining more attention, making Toyota's investments pertinent.
- Other automakers are also exploring similar innovation centers to stay relevant in a tech-driven market.
Woven City represents Toyota's strategic effort to innovate in a changing industry, yet its unclear purpose and cost-effectiveness raise critical questions about its viability.