Tech Desk 
Jan 07, 2025
In the wake of advancements taking place in the realm of aerospace technologies, Toyota is all set to make a huge investment in a Japan-based startup to help it mass-produce rockets.
Woven, a Toyota subsidiary which is actively building a “city of the future” in Japan by developing innovative technologies to introduce fully autonomous driving, will inject about 7 billion yen ($44.4 million) into Interstellar Technologies (IST), said the Japanese startup.
Eyeing to stretch its footprint in space technology, Woven by Toyota will appoint a director to IST’s board and boost rocket manufacturing by enhancing supply chains and corporate governance, Business Recorder quoted a statement by IST.
The announcement came on the heels of Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda delivering a speech at the CES 2025 in Las Vegas on Monday, wherein he also shed light on the company’s experimental Woven City project announced in 2020.
“The future of mobility shouldn’t be limited to just Earth, or just one car company. Speaking of the sky, we’re exploring rockets, too,” said the company.
On the sideline of making rockets, the world's biggest automaker is also venturing into space exploration by making a lunar rover with IST. The rover will be equipped with a comprehensive array of technical components needed to carry astronauts on the moon’s surface for the Artemis programme by NASA.
