Toyota Explores Space with $45M Investment
Toyota is venturing beyond Earth, announcing plans to explore the development and production of orbital rockets. Chairman Akio Toyoda revealed this bold move during a press conference at CES in Las Vegas, emphasizing that the future of mobility should not be confined to Earth—or dominated by a single company.
“We are exploring rockets too, because the future of mobility shouldn’t be limited to just Earth or just one car company, for that matter,” Toyoda said, drawing a parallel to SpaceX’s dominance in the space sector under Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
A Strategic Investment in Space
Toyota is investing 7 billion Japanese yen ($44.4 million) into Interstellar Technologies Inc., a Japanese private spaceflight company specializing in satellite launch vehicles. Founded in 2013, Interstellar Technologies has conducted seven launches of its suborbital MOMO rockets, reaching space for the first time in 2019. The company is now working on its larger orbital-class rockets, the ZERO and DECA, designed for satellite deployment.
Toyota plans to leverage its expertise in mass production to contribute to rocket manufacturing, a field that increasingly intersects with the automotive industry’s technological advancements.
Rivalry in Japan’s Launch Market
Toyota’s foray into space puts it in direct competition with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, whose H3 rocket is developed for Japan’s space agency, JAXA. The H3 series aims to compete with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets in the global launch market.
Woven by Toyota: A Vision for the Future
Beyond rockets, Toyota is innovating on the ground through its “Woven by Toyota” initiative. This mobility company is driving projects like Woven City, a 175-acre “prototype city of the future” located at the base of Mt. Fuji. Announced five years ago at CES, Woven City is designed to test and develop cutting-edge technologies, including autonomous vehicles, smart homes, and robotics.
The first phase of Woven City is now complete, with housing for residents and inventors who will collaborate on emerging technologies. Toyoda described the city’s mission as an experimental proving ground for innovation, rather than a profit-making venture.
Redefining Mobility and Beyond
Toyota’s investment in Interstellar Technologies marks a significant step into the space sector, positioning the company as a contender in Japan’s launch market and beyond. By combining its manufacturing prowess with Interstellar’s rocket technology, Toyota aims to expand its mobility vision to the stars.
As Toyota explores orbital rockets and continues to build its prototype city, the automaker demonstrates a clear message: the future of mobility transcends cars, roads, and even Earth itself.
