CES 2025 Press Conference

Summary

Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, presents the vision for Uben City, a futuristic living laboratory located at the base of Mount Fuji. With a focus on sustainability and innovation, Uben City is a hub for testing new technologies, including autonomous vehicles, robotics, and AI. The city will house a diverse population of residents, scientists, and entrepreneurs to foster collaboration and create solutions for the future. Toyota aims to invest in collective global well-being and share knowledge through initiatives like a startup pitch competition. Uben City exemplifies Toyota's commitment to a brighter, tech-driven future.

Takeaways

• 😀 Toyota is building a futuristic test city called Uben City, located at the base of Mount Fuji, Japan.
• 😀 Uben City is a living laboratory where residents participate in testing new products and ideas in a real-world setting.
• 😀 The first phase of Uben City is now complete, and residents will begin moving in soon.
• 😀 Sustainability is a major priority for Uben City, which has received Japan's first LEED Platinum certification for a community.
• 😀 The city will focus on four key areas: mobility of people, goods, information, and energy.
• 😀 Various innovative transportation solutions, such as flying cars, drones, and autonomous vehicles, will be tested in Uben City.
• 😀 Uben City will serve as a test site for home robotics and autonomous logistics to assist with daily life and enhance efficiency.
• 😀 Artificial intelligence (AI) will be used in Uben City to develop smart technologies and expand the reach of the city virtually.
• 😀 Toyota has created an independent company, U by Toyota, with 2,200 team members from over 60 countries to support the project.
• 😀 Uben City is not intended to make immediate profits for Toyota but is viewed as an investment in the collective future, aimed at benefiting the planet and its people.
• 😀 Toyota is launching a pitch competition for startups or individuals to bring their innovative ideas to life in Uben City, fostering collaboration and new developments.

Q & A

What is Uben City and where is it located?

Uben City is an experimental urban development built by Toyota, located at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan. It serves as a living laboratory where innovative ideas and technologies are tested in real-life settings.

What are the key priorities of Uben City?

The main priorities of Uben City include sustainability, mobility, and innovation in four key areas: mobility of people, goods, information, and energy.

What is the population goal for Uben City and who will live there?

The population of Uben City is expected to grow to around 2,000 people. The residents will include Toyota employees, their families, retailers, scientists, industry partners, entrepreneurs, academics, and their families.

What role does sustainability play in the development of Uben City?

Sustainability is a major focus of Uben City. All transportation within the city will be low to zero emission, and the city has already received Japan's first LEED Platinum certification for its community design.

What kind of innovative mobility solutions are being tested at Uben City?

Uben City is testing various innovative mobility solutions, such as person mobility devices, drones, interactive pet robots for elderly care, and even flying cars to reduce traffic and improve transportation efficiency.

What are some of the technological advancements being developed in Uben City?

Technological advancements being developed at Uben City include autonomous vehicles, in-home robots for daily tasks like folding t-shirts, and artificial intelligence to enhance city interactions and processes.

How does Uben City aim to help elderly residents?

Uben City is focusing on providing solutions like interactive pet robots to assist and offer companionship to the elderly, as well as in-home robots to support daily activities.

What is the significance of Toyota's involvement in Uben City, aside from car manufacturing?

Toyota's involvement in Uben City is not just about cars but about creating human-centric technologies that expand mobility and well-being. Toyota’s broader mission is to innovate for the collective future of humanity.

What is the 'Invention by Multiplication' concept mentioned in the presentation?

The concept of 'Invention by Multiplication' refers to the idea that by combining Toyota’s strengths with those of various industries, new value, products, and services can be created that wouldn't be possible on their own.

How is Uben City contributing to global innovation?

Uben City is contributing to global innovation by offering a platform for entrepreneurs and startups to test their ideas and technologies. It is also launching a pitch competition to provide funding and scholarships for individuals and startups looking to bring their ideas to life.