Buildings Systems

1. LINE-linked Touchless Elevator Calling Service

Hitachi has released a LINE-linked touchless elevator calling service that allows users to register as friends to an official LINE^* account provided for each elevator and use their private smartphones to call the elevator and register destination floors.

The user can read a QR code^* (two-dimensional code) provided in each elevator hall, register a desired elevator as a friend, call the elevator in Talk (for exchanging messages) and then set a destination floor to use the elevator without touching any elevator button. User can use elevators more smoothly by registering as a friend to the official LINE accounts of the elevators that the user frequently uses at home, work, and other places.

As one of the possible ideas for providing the new service to more users in response to the lifestyle of the new normal, a maintenance contract service for administrators has been combined with the LINE application, which has 86 million monthly active users in Japan. As LINE Corporation’s system is connected to a remote monitoring platform of Hitachi Building Systems Co., Ltd. via an external cloud environment, the new service was developed in a very short time. The service can be provided simply by modifying software without additional hardware or onsite modification.

* :

See the list of “Trademarks.”

[1] Screenshots of the LINE-linked touchless elevator calling service

2. Contactless Operation Solution for Detecting and Guiding People with Fevers, Using a Thermal Camera

Measuring people’s temperatures at the entrances of buildings increases the operation load of those stationed at the site and also incurs the risk of infection. As a thermal camera can measure the temperature of the person’s forehead detected by the camera using infrared rays, it enables the efficient measurement of people’s temperatures at entrances. In operation without a human, however, a problem arises as people with fevers cannot be dealt with. To solve this issue, Hitachi’s solution for detecting and guiding people with fevers combines a thermal camera and Hitachi Building Systems (HBS) remote monitoring system to enable remote checking of people with fevers, while reducing the operational load.

In addition to its original live video monitoring, an HBS remote monitoring system that has functions to send an email notification when an alarm is triggered, and add a replay label for later investigation. By combining this with a thermal camera, an email can be sent to an administrator who is far away from the monitoring site when the threshold for a preset temperature is exceeded. Moreover, the affected person can be identified by replaying the video from the remote location.

In addition, by linking the thermal camera with the communication robot “EMIEW,” people with fevers can be guided and given a simple medical examination by having an interview in a contactless manner, which can be expected to reduce the load of the building operator and administrator.

[2] Solution for detecting and guiding people with fevers, using a thermal camera

3. Smart Building Solutions to Support New Value Creation for Buildings

To create added value for buildings in the era of the new normal, Hitachi has developed Hitachi office worker solution, an office worker solution that provides new experience value to office workers, and Hitachi building Internet of Things (IoT) solution, an IoT solution for buildings that utilizes sensing data such as information about the operation of building equipment and people flow to support efficient, advanced building management.

Office buildings are now at a large turning point. Commercial real estate companies and facility management companies are facing a range of challenges. For example, responding to rapid workstyle changes, providing safe and secure spaces that consider preventive measures for infectious diseases, and maintaining the quality of building management with a shortage of human resources and experts.

The currently-developed Hitachi office worker solution integrates various services that are essential to every worker into its smartphone application. Hitachi office worker solution provides functions such as event notification, participation registration, promotion of interaction among tenants, understanding of congestion of surrounding restaurants, application-based order placement, and contactless building entry and exit.

Hitachi building IoT solution collects and accumulates sensing data about building equipment in a centralized manner and provides the data to various applications via an application programming interface (API). Hitachi is going to improve the efficiency of building management through the visualization of the operating status of building facilities and the use of people flow information to achieve comfortable operation of building facilities in order to provide people with spaces that are friendly, more comfortable, and highly productive.

[3] Overview of Hitachi’s smart building solutions

4. Completion of “H1 TOWER,” World’s Tallest Elevator Test Tower in Guangzhou, China

On January 16, 2020, a ceremony was held to mark the completion of the world’s tallest^* elevator test tower “H1 TOWER” in Guangzhou, China.

H1 TOWER is 288.8 m tall (aboveground: 273.8 m, underground: 15 m) and the world’s tallest elevator test tower. There are 15 hoist-ways inside the test tower and their overall length is 2.2 km. The longest of all is 250 m and the world’s longest^* hoist-way. H1 TOWER can help develop and test not only flagship products that require advanced technology, such as large-capacity models with a loading capacity of 5,000 kg or more, ultrahigh-speed elevators, and double-deck elevators, but also group control systems and other control units.

Together with G1 TOWER in Japan, the recently-completed H1 TOWER will promote Hitachi’s global strategy in the elevator business and play an important role in meeting the needs in both China and global markets.

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According to Hitachi’s research in September 2020.

[4] H1 TOWER, an elevator test tower in Guangzhou, China

5. “TX Series,” New Escalator Model with High Functionality and Advanced Design, and Solutions for Reducing Infection Risk Involving Escalators

Hitachi has developed the “TX Series,” which is a new escalator model with high functionality and advanced design for the Japanese market. Hitachi has also systematized solutions for reducing the risk of getting infectious diseases involving escalators for the TX Series and other models, and added a new handrail disinfection system and other devices to its product lineup.

The recently-released new TX Series escalator is a product with specifications and design optimized for the Japanese market, based on the baseline design of the TX Series for the markets in China, Asia, and the Middle East, which was released in 2017. Maintaining some of the features of the existing “VX Series” for the Japanese market, including safety, security, and energy-saving functions, the new model has improved functionality and design with changes in the yellow demarcation line that borders the step surface to alert people for safe use and in the handrail design.

As novel coronavirus infections are spreading, the needs for disinfection and antibacterial treatment of escalators and social distancing during their use are increasing. In response, Hitachi has systematized solutions for reducing the risk of getting infectious diseases involving escalators and added to its product lineup a new handrail disinfection system and handrail cleaner that can disinfect handrails during operation at all times.

[5] Image of the new escalator model “TX Series”

6. Large Contracts Awarded in Singapore

7. Elevators Delivered to Shibuya Scramble Square

8. Elevators Delivered to Takanawa Gateway Station on JR Yamanote Line

Takanawa Gateway Station is a new station on the JR Yamanote line and the first new station to be built since 1971. The station opened provisionally on March 14, 2020. As it is located between Tamachi and Shinagawa Stations on the JR Yamanote line, the surrounding area will be developed into Global Gateway Shinagawa, which will have seven skyscrapers to accommodate offices, hotels, and commercial facilities, which will be completed gradually in line with the full opening of the station. The new town will open around 2024.

The main station building was designed by Kengo Kuma, who also designed the new Japan National Stadium and Shibuya Station. It features a large roof resembling origami. Timber is embedded all over the station and timber is also used for the elevator cage ceilings. Hitachi received and delivered a bulk order for nine elevators and 12 escalators, totaling 21 items. As the station is also positioned as a showroom where new technologies will be introduced, it will have automatic ticket gates using QR codes, guide robots, and unattended convenience stores.

[8] Building of Takanawa Gateway Station on JR Yamanote Line (photo courtesy of: JR East)