Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- startup / ˈstɑrtˌʌp / (n.) – a newly established company that is just starting its operations
Example:The young entrepreneur started a tech startup to create apps for small businesses.
- utopian / yuˈtoʊ pi ən / (adj.) – relating to an ideal society or vision
Example:The tech industry leaders dream of a utopian future in which technology solves all of society’s problems.
- pitch / pɪtʃ / (n.) – a presentation or speech that aims to convince someone to support an idea, product, or service
Example:The university organized a pitch contest for students to share their business ideas with the country’s top financial leaders.
- escort / ɪˈskɔrt / (v.) – to accompany someone or something in order to provide help, protection, or direction
Example:The event organizer hired a security team to escort important guests during the conference.
- companionship / kəmˈpæn yənˌʃɪp / (n.) – the positive emotion that comes from enjoying and spending time with another person
Example:Pets provide companionship to people living alone.
Article
Read the text below.
At the CES 2025 tech convention in Las Vegas, Toyota Chairperson Akio Toyoda revealed the latest developments in Woven City, a futuristic prototype city at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan.
Woven City is not just a place to live, but a 175-acre “living laboratory” where innovation is the focus. In this experimental environment, residents and business startups are to work side by side in the city to test and develop cutting-edge technologies.
The Japanese motor giant first shared its vision of the utopian city at the CES 2020 event. Toyoda says, “I am happy to announce that we have officially completed phase one of our Woven City Campus.”
With phase one complete, Toyota announces plans to open Woven City to residents by autumn 2025.
In the summer of 2025, Toyota will kick off a pitch competition and offer scholarships for startups and innovators to bring their ideas to life in the city.
“Located at the base of beautiful Mount Fuji in Japan, Woven City is more than just a place to live, work and play. Woven City is a place where people can invent and develop all kinds of new products. It’s a living laboratory where the residents are willing participants, giving inventors the opportunity to freely test their ideas in a secure real-life setting,” Toyoda says.
Woven City is a showcase for Toyota’s next-generation concept technologies.
The city’s focus on mobility and robotics is clear, with systems already being trialed to integrate drones that escort residents home, interactive robots that assist the elderly, and personal mobility devices like wheelchair race bikes.
“We think of Woven City as a test course for mobility where we can develop any number of solutions, from personal mobility devices like wheelchair race bikes, because everybody should enjoy the joys of going first… to drones that safely escort you home at night… to interactive robots that provide support and companionship for the elderly… to flying cars like this one made by our friends at Joby making the trip from Woven City to Tokyo fast and traffic-free,” Toyoda says.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Would you like to live in Woven City, where cutting-edge technology is part of everyday life? Why or why not? What do you think life in that city would be like? What do you think are the advantages and challenges of living in a city like Woven City that serves as a “living laboratory?” Discuss.
- In your opinion, what kind of businesses and citizens should live and work in Woven City? What can these kinds of businesses and citizens contribute to the success of the utopian city? Discuss.
Discussion B
- Which technology mentioned in the article excites you the most? Why? What other technology do you wish engineers and businesses would develop in Woven City? Why? Discuss.
- How might the introduction of flying cars change our approach to travel and urban development? Why is it important for tech companies to trial these vehicles in a “living laboratory” like Woven City before releasing them globally? Discuss.
