Rohit Baniwal, writer
Brief news
- Toyota is exploring the development of orbital rockets, investing $44.4 million through its Woven by Toyota subsidiary in collaboration with Interstellar Technologies.
- Chairman Akio Toyoda emphasized the need for multiple companies in space technology, referencing competition with Tesla and SpaceX.
- Toyota’s Woven City aims to test future technologies, focusing on innovation rather than profit.
Detailed news
VEGAS, Nevada — According to statements made by Chairman Akio Toyoda on Monday, Toyota Motor is investigating the possibility of developing and manufacturing orbital rockets.
Interstellar Technologies Inc. is a Japanese private spaceflight firm that is building launch vehicles for satellites. The automobile manufacturer is investing 7 billion Japanese yen ($44.4 million) in the venture through its “Woven by Toyota” mobility subsidiary.
Toyoda, the former CEO and scion of the automobile manufacturer, stated that there should not be “one car company” working on the development of such technology. He was alluding to Tesla, whose CEO Elon Musk also leads SpaceX.
Toyoda stated this during a press conference held in Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show. “We are exploring rockets as well,” he continued, “because the future of mobility shouldn’t be limited to just earth or just one car company, for that matter.”
Interstellar Technologies was established in 2013, and since then, it has successfully launched seven of its small suborbital MOMO rockets. In 2019, these rockets made their first trip into space. The young company has not yet put a satellite into orbit, but they intend to move forward with the development of the larger ZERO and DECA range of rockets for the purpose of transporting spacecraft.
According to Toyota, the business anticipates that it will be able to utilize its knowledge with the mass production of vehicles in order to produce rockets in collaboration with Interstellar Technologies.
Toyota is competing with Mitsubishi in the launch industry in Japan. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi, is responsible for developing and launching the H3 series of rockets for Japan’s Space Agency (JAXA). The H3 rocket, which was developed by Mitsubishi but did not make its debut until many years beyond its original timeline, was supposed to have a price that was comparable to that of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets, which currently dominate the global launch market.
Woven City
Additionally, on Monday, Toyota made the announcement that the first phase of Woven City had been completed. This phase included the construction of housing for residents and innovators, both of whom the manufacturer is inviting to visit the property.
At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2013, Toyota made the announcement that Woven by Toyota would be a “prototype city of the future.” This city would be situated on a 175-acre plot of land at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan, with the purpose of testing and developing new technology such as autonomous vehicles.
It was stated by the chairman that the objective of Woven City is not necessary to generate profits, but rather to serve as a testing ground and experimental proving ground for possible future innovations.
Source : CNBC news
