Experimental project will be built by robots
Toyota has hired Bjarke Ingels鈥� practice BIG to design a prototype 鈥渃ity of the future鈥� built and staffed by robots.
The city, planned for a 175-acre site at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan, will be tested in a computer simulation before construction which is slated to start early next year once planning approval has been granted.
BIG is one of Google鈥檚 architects of choice, having helped draw up designs for its new European headquarters building Lendlease is constructing at King鈥檚 Cross in London.
Toyota said it would invite its staff and their families, researchers, retired couples, retailers, visiting scientists and industry partners to live at the scheme which it has dubbed the Woven City.
Residents will participate in a 鈥渞eal-world incubator鈥� to test and develop new technologies including a fully integrated digital operating system for infrastructure, with 鈥減eople, buildings and vehicles all connected and communicating with each other through data and sensors鈥�.
Using robotised production methods and traditional Japanese joinery, the sustainable scheme will be built mostly from wood and powered by a combination of roof-top solar panels and hydrogen fuel cells.
Emissions-producing vehicles will be banned, with residents shuttled around the streets in driverless Toyota e-Palette cars.
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