Toyota, renowned for its automobiles, is expanding its horizons beyond terrestrial travel and venturing into the space industry. The company’s subsidiary, Woven by Toyota, has invested approximately $44.4 million (7 billion yen) in Interstellar Technologies, a Japanese space startup, marking a significant step towards Toyota’s ambition to contribute to the future of mobility beyond Earth.
Toyota’s Space Ambitions
During a presentation at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda emphasized the company’s vision for mobility extending beyond Earth, hinting at a potential rivalry with Tesla and SpaceX. This investment in Interstellar Technologies underscores Toyota’s commitment to exploring new frontiers in transportation.
Scaling Rocket Production
The partnership between Woven by Toyota and Interstellar Technologies focuses on scaling the startup’s rocket production capabilities. The goal is to meet the increasing demand for satellite launch vehicles and contribute to a future where space access is more readily available. Interstellar CEO Takahiro Inagawa highlighted Woven’s role in facilitating the transition from bespoke manufacturing to a scalable supply chain.
A History of Innovation
Interstellar Technologies achieved a milestone in 2017 by becoming the first private company in Japan to attempt a rocket launch, although the initial attempt was unsuccessful. A subsequent test launch in 2019 successfully delivered a payload to the edge of space. The collaboration between Toyota and Interstellar began in 2020, with Toyota providing personnel to assist in cost reduction and mass production efforts.
Woven City and Space Connectivity
Toyota is currently developing Woven City, a futuristic prototype city near Mount Fuji in Japan. This project serves as a testing ground for innovative technologies, including a potential Starlink-like telecommunications network. Woven by Toyota CEO Hajime Kumabe emphasized the importance of seamless communication for constantly moving vehicles, suggesting a potential application for Interstellar’s launch vehicles in deploying communication satellites.
A New Era of Space Transportation
This strategic investment mirrors SpaceX’s approach, which utilizes Falcon 9 rockets for Starlink satellite deployment. If Toyota’s venture into space transportation proves as successful as its automotive endeavors, Japan could gain a reliable and cost-effective means of accessing space. This partnership signifies a potential shift in the space industry landscape, with established automotive giants like Toyota playing a more prominent role in space exploration and related technologies.
Conclusion
Toyota’s investment in Interstellar Technologies represents a bold step towards a future where mobility extends beyond Earth. By leveraging its manufacturing expertise and resources, Toyota aims to contribute to a more accessible and connected space ecosystem. This partnership could have far-reaching implications for the space industry and further solidify Toyota’s position as a leader in innovation.
