From Autonomous Drifting to Space Rockets: Akio Toyoda Expands Vision for Toyota at CES 2025

theweeklydriver.com

At the CES 2025 press conference, Toyota unveiled a series of ambitious projects and initiatives, showcasing its transformation from a traditional automaker to a comprehensive mobility company.

The presentation, led by Chairman Akio Toyoda, highlighted advancements in autonomous technology, urban development, and even space exploration.

The presentation went on to show a video of two cars drifting together. This suggests a focus on developing vehicles capable of handling extreme driving conditions without human intervention.

Toyota announced the completion of Phase 1 construction for its Woven City project, a prototype urban environment located at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan. The city, designed as a living laboratory for future technologies, is scheduled for an official launch in fall 2025.

In a surprising move, Toyota revealed its interest in space exploration. Toyoda stated, “We’re exploring rockets, too. Because the future of mobility shouldn’t be limited to just Earth, or just one car company.”

This announcement was accompanied by the disclosure of a 7 billion yen (approximately $44.3 million) investment in Interstellar Technologies, a private Japanese spaceflight company. The collaboration aims to develop small launch vehicles for satellite deployment and explore telecommunications networks to support Woven City’s needs.

Throughout the presentation, Toyoda emphasized Toyota’s ongoing transformation: “We’re not just an automaker anymore. We’re redefining mobility to encompass the movement of people, goods, information, and energy for the benefit of society.”

Toyota is positioning itself at the forefront of technological innovation across multiple domains. As these projects develop, they have the potential to significantly impact not only the automotive industry but also urban planning, space exploration, and the broader concept of human mobility.

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