Since it began research and development of elevators in the 1920s, Hitachi Building Systems, a member of the Hitachi Group, has been providing high-quality elevators (elevators and escalators), building equipment such as air conditioners, and building solutions, and working to create a safe, secure, and comfortable society. We continue to provide maintenance services for more than 1 million elevators and other building equipment worldwide, based on more than 2,000 business locations, using digital technologies such as IoT and AI, and we are making buildings greener and smarter by providing solutions that leverage these strengths. We will continue to expand our social innovation business, using digital, green and connectivity as drivers of innovation, and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society and well-being.
Advanced, reliable and safe elevators and escalators Research into new technologies and development of new products
Design and design coordination of elevators and escalators for domestic and export markets
Strategic planning, new business creation, system construction and operation in the Smart Building Division
System and service development for building solutions, data analysis, and development of maintenance tools
Development of technology and products related to the field service business for elevators, escalators, chillers, and solutions, as well as strategy formulation, business planning, maintenance design, and technical support
We are responsible for the design and development of drive and mechanism systems for elevator products, taking into account the profitability of the entire value chain, including design, manufacture, installation and maintenance.
【Product Development】
・Development planning based on customer needs
・Design of elevator mechanical systems, equipment and parts
・Evaluation through simulation and product prototyping
【Design】
Design of elevator mechanical components (strength studies, selection of mechanical parts, design of structural and design components, etc.)
・Design standardization work (preparation of standard 2D/3D drawings, preparation of design standards, etc.)
・Cost reduction activities (structural studies, estimation work, etc.)
We are responsible for the design and development of control systems for elevators and elevator products that work in conjunction with various services and products, such as safety certification systems and signs that display advertisements, taking into account the profitability of the entire value chain, including design, manufacture, installation, and maintenance.
【Product Development】
・Overall elevator specification review
・Overall software development for control related to operation, position and speed control, and motor control (C language)
・Design documents and circuit diagrams
・Coding work
・Verification work (individual and elevator systems)
【Design work】
・Elevator electrical component design (electrical circuit review, electrical component selection, software design, etc.)
・Design standardization work (standard diagram preparation, design criteria preparation, etc.)
・Cost reduction activities
We develop control systems for connected elevators that work with various services and products, such as safety certification systems and signage that displays advertisements, taking into account the profitability of the entire value chain, including design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance. We are also responsible for developing the software that underpins these systems.
・System Review
・Software Development
・Coding work
・Verification work (unit testing and elevator system testing)
In the real estate industry, there is a growing trend to make buildings smarter by using IoT technology and other means to enhance their value and competitiveness.
We promote the design and development of digital solutions that bring new value to stakeholders such as real estate developers, building management companies, and building users in the form of "smart", "green", and "quality of life" improvements.
In the Smart Building Digital Solutions Division, we are working to create new value and solutions by creating smart building services in the fields of environment, building management, and QoL improvement for building occupants through the combination of cutting-edge technology and design technology, such as services that automate building management and improve convenience, in order to solve various social issues.
One of our strengths is our long-term field service business for customers. This field service business is the foundation of our business and generates a certain amount of stable revenue that is not greatly affected by market conditions or the economy. In the Maintenance Planning and Design Division, we plan, oversee and support this long-term maintenance business.
The life cycle of an elevator is divided into three stages: [new installation], [maintenance] and [refurbishment]. New installation refers to the process of installing a new elevator, and post-delivery maintenance includes service and repairs to maintain performance. Renovation involves the replacement or repair of old elevators. You will be involved in the development and design of these processes.
We are building an advanced IoT platform by handling the equipment (products) needed for buildings, controlling and operating them with OT technology, and connecting them with IT (advanced digital technology). Our current focus is on our Smart Building Solution service, which uses the expertise gained from remote monitoring of elevators and escalators to collect, visualize and analyze all data in a building, including equipment and people flow. Based on the information obtained from our IoT platform, we are launching new services that are representative of smart cities, providing building owners and users with a total package of new services that are convenient and offer high added value.
These are elevators designed according to the concept and use of the building. We propose styles that fit the urban space, such as high-speed, high-capacity elevators for skyscrapers and large facilities, and observation elevators that beautifully display the space of resorts and shopping malls.
The latest escalators are equipped with a range of safety features, including a soft-stop function that prevents falls when the escalator stops suddenly and a warning function that prevents people from leaning over the handrail. In addition, the use of LED lighting for the balustrade has improved energy efficiency.
The Urban Ace HF Plus is our standard type elevator that has been enhanced with four "Plus" features. It incorporates many of the latest technologies, including design, DX conversion and improved durability. It also has a "cage-mounted security camera" that can display surveillance footage at the landing, and a "secret operation" function that prevents the destination floor from being seen by third parties to enhance security. It also features all-LED ceiling lighting and a function that effectively utilizes regenerative power to further improve energy efficiency.
The latest escalators are equipped with advanced safety features, including a soft-stop function using inverter control that prevents falls during sudden stops, and an alerting function that warns against leaning out from the handrails. Additionally, the LED lighting in the balustrades has improved energy efficiency.
＊By September 2024, according to Hitachi research
We have developed the "FI-700" elevator operation management system that uses AI to predict passenger flow for large, complex buildings. This system predicts the number of passengers based on past operating data and reduces waiting time by up to 20%. It is also possible to link data with building facilities to improve mobility efficiency.
Our group has established research centers at locations including the Mito Business Site, as well as in Guangzhou and Shanghai in China, and in Singapore. We have production bases primarily in Japan, China, and Thailand. Additionally, we have strengthened our business infrastructure in China, Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East, with overseas sales now accounting for approximately 60% of our total group sales.
Hitachi Building Systems focuses on buildings and cities, which are both social infrastructure and the foundation of our lives. We are simultaneously realizing two values: the greening of buildings and cities in response to environmental issues, and the improvement of the quality of life (QoL) of people who gather in buildings and cities. We will contribute to the realization of buildings and cities where everyone can live and work with peace of mind while protecting the earth.
As buildings in the Middle East and China become taller, there is a growing demand for high-capacity, high-speed elevators. To meet this demand, we are developing and testing various elevator technologies at G1TOWER, one of the world's tallest buildings at 213 meters, to meet the needs of the high-rise market.
