LAS VEGAS: Toyota Motor Corp. on Monday unveiled a project to build a prototype city of the future in central Japan to accelerate the development of cutting-edge technologies.

The Japanese automaker will start building the city in early 2021 on a 175-acre site at the base of Mount Fuji.

Called the Woven City, it will provide a real-world environment for the development of technologies such as autonomous driving, robotics, personal mobility, smart homes and artificial intelligence.

https://twitter.com/ToyotaMotorCorp/status/1214347175108468738?s=20

A concept video released by Toyota shows the company's e-Palette electric vehicles moving across the city.

Danish architect Bjarke Ingels will design the city. It will be built on the site of a Toyota plant in Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, which will be closed at the end of this year.

It will initially be home to about 2,000 people, including Toyota employees. The automaker will invite partner companies and researchers from around the world to work with on the project.

"We welcome all those inspired to improve the way we live in the future," Toyota President Akio Toyoda said at a press conference in Las Vegas prior to Tuesday's opening of the Consumer Electronics Show.

Meanwhile, Panasonic Corp. announced a promotion campaign featuring former Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps as part of an effort to reach young consumers.

JIJI Press