This episode of Toyota Times Business focuses on Woven City, which began its demonstration trials on September 25.
Yuta Tomikawa and automotive journalist Naoto Ikeda welcomed some Inventors to the newly built studio inside Woven City to discuss their planned trials and expectations for the project.
The seven Inventors* come from completely different industries and will explore diverse themes in their demonstration trials. Yet they share a common belief that collaboration will create new value none could achieve alone.
*As of October 2025, a total of 20 Inventors will participate in the demonstration trials.
According to Woven by Toyota (WbyT) CEO Hajime Kumabe, Woven City is a “test course for creating the future fabric of life.”
“We believe in many possibilities and try many things. What remains will become the new norm — the future fabric of life,” he says.
So, when and how will we see the results?
When asked by a reporter about the start of the trials, Senior Vice President Daiki Toyoda explained:
“To be honest, we don’t know when results will emerge. There may even be outcomes or outputs that we do not foresee, or perhaps none. I think the process will provide many lessons.”
“Instead of success or failure, I think one of our initial measures of achievement will be whether we are able to pursue many different initiatives.”
Driven by a spirit of adventure, the Inventors are ready to weave together a future yet unknown. What kinds of initiatives will they pursue, and what kinds of products and services will be created? Watch with wonder — and let your imagination soar.
