During CES 2025, Toyota’s chairman Akio Toyoda revealed that the Japanese car manufacturer is venturing into rocketry, hinting at the potential for space travel.
Toyoda’s remarks about rockets emerged while he was discussing the wide array of technologies his company embraces, referring to this approach as “invention by kakezan,” which translates to “invention by multiplication.”
“When you collaborate effectively, your possibilities are limitless,” he stated. After a moment of suspense, he added: “And on the subject of limitless possibilities, we are also looking into rockets. The future of mobility should not be constrained to Earth or solely tied to one automotive entity” — potentially a jab at Tesla, whose CEO Elon Musk also leads SpaceX.
At the conference, Toyoda provided minimal specifics but showcased a rendering of a rocket designed by Interstellar Technologies, a private spaceflight firm from Japan developing a small launch vehicle intended for satellite deployment. Subsequently, Toyoda and other company leaders discussed the innovation further with TechCrunch, revealing partnerships with Interstellar Technologies to create a telecommunications network that would cater to the needs of Woven City, a test city spanning 175 acres at the base of Mount Fuji, envisioned as a living laboratory. Toyota first unveiled plans for this city in 2020, and on Monday, they announced that its initial phase is now operational.
“For vehicles that will be in constant motion, a robust telecommunications framework is essential,” stated Hajime Kumabe, CEO of Woven by Toyota, in a briefing with TechCrunch. “This infrastructure must guarantee uninterrupted communication, ensuring seamless connectivity.”
He also emphasized the mountainous terrain of Woven City, making it vital to determine the right communication network to facilitate autonomous vehicles.
The executives shared that Woven by Toyota has invested approximately 7 billion yen, around $44.3 million, into Interstellar Technologies.
While introducing the concept of spaceflight at a press conference may seem far-fetched, there is a history of similar announcements. Five years ago, Sony unexpectedly revealed its ambitions to develop an electric vehicle during CES, with only a brief mention on stage.
Conversely, Toyota has faced criticism for its prudent approach to electric vehicle development over the years. This caution now appears astute, as major car manufacturers revise their electrification strategies. Perhaps Toyota has been aiming for a significantly different target — the realm of space.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
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