Woven by Toyota and Shizuoka Partner on Mobility Innovation

Woven by Toyota and Shizuoka Establish Local Partnership

On September 3, Woven by Toyota, Inc. (WbyT, Tokyo), a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, and Shizuoka Prefecture signed a partnership agreement covering the social implementation of demonstration results from Woven City in Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The agreement also focuses on next-generation human resource development. Beginning in 2026, the partners plan to conduct demonstration tests across the prefecture to help realize new technologies and services in next-generation mobility, autonomous driving, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics.

Partnership Targets Mobility, Startups, and Future Talent

The partnership represents the first time WbyT has entered into a partnership agreement with a local government, marking a new step in its approach to public-private collaboration. WbyT CEO Hajime Kumabe said, “The agreement marks a first step toward extending innovation from Shizuoka Prefecture to the rest of Japan.” The initiative is designed to connect technologies demonstrated at Woven City with broader social applications while also supporting local economic activity and developing human resources capable of contributing to future innovation. The collaboration positions Japan as a broader field for applying technologies and services developed through these initiatives.

Four Areas Define the 2026 Demonstration Program

The agreement establishes four initiative areas that will guide collaboration between WbyT and Shizuoka Prefecture. These include promoting the realization of a safe mobility society, supporting local industries through startups and innovation, developing human resources for future innovation, and promoting activities aimed at social implementation. Demonstration tests planned for 2026 are expected to provide a practical setting for applying next-generation mobility and autonomous driving technologies alongside AI and robotics. The broader objective is to move demonstration outcomes toward real-world implementation while strengthening innovation activity and talent development within the prefecture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Woven by Toyota and Shizuoka Prefecture partnership?
The partnership is an agreement to apply demonstration results from Woven City to society while advancing next-generation mobility, autonomous driving, AI, robotics, local innovation, and future talent development. Woven by Toyota and Shizuoka Prefecture plan to begin demonstration tests in 2026, making this WbyT’s first partnership agreement with a local government. The initiative covers four areas: safe mobility, startup and innovation support for local industries, human resource development, and social implementation. CEO Hajime Kumabe described the agreement as a first step toward extending innovation from Shizuoka Prefecture to the rest of Japan.