News Releases

Hitachi announces the Ultra-High-Speed Elevators Achieved
the World's Highest Speed of 1,200 m/min

To be in operation in a mixed-use skyscraper in Guangzhou, China, this fall

Tokyo, May 27, 2016 ---Hitachi, Ltd., ("Hitachi" / TSE:6501) today announced that the ultra-high-speed elevators for Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre achieved the speed of 1,200 m/min (72km/h), which was verified in the running test on May 14. The rated speed of 1,200 m/min is the highest speed for elevators that currently exist in the world.

Hitachi had received an order*1 to manufacture ultra-high-speed elevators for Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, a mixed-use skyscraper in Guangzhou, China, and has since been engaged in the installation, inspection, and adjustment of the elevators toward full operation in the fall of 2016.

Features of the World's Fastest Elevator

(1) Drive and control technologies to attain the world's fastest speed of 1,200 m/min

• Developed a permanent magnet synchronous motor that achieves both a thin profile and the high output needed to attain the speed of 1,200 m/min.
• Realized a compact traction machine by increasing the strength and reducing the weight of the main ropes.
• Developed a space saving-type control panel with an inverter that possesses one of the world's highest capacities for use in elevators.

(2) Safety features supporting ultra-high-speed elevator operation

• Developed brake equipment using braking materials with outstanding heat resistance.
• Achieved both safety and space saving by using a single governor that can control different rated speeds during elevator ascent and descent*2.

(3) Elevators can be used comfortably with safety even over long travel

• Installed active guide rollers to reduce vibration occurred by minute warping in the guide rails, in the four corners (top and bottom, left and right corners) of the elevator.
• Reduced the sensation of ear blockage by developing Hitachi's proprietary air pressure adjustment technology, which reduces the changes in air pressure inside the elevator car.

The aforementioned technologies, which have contributed to the realization of the speed of 1,200 m/min, received the Best Technical Paper Award at the Elevcon 2016 held in Spain in May.

*1

Hitachi plans to deliver a total of 95 elevators, including two elevators with a speed of 1,200 m/min.

*2

The rated speed during descent is 600 m/min.

Special website for the world's fastest elevators:

Image of Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre

Outline of Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre

Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre is an upscale mixed-use skyscraper comprising offices, a hotel, and residential spaces (530 meters tall with 111 aboveground floors and 5 below-ground floors). It will be the tallest building in Guangzhou, China. Construction of the building is now under way toward its opening in the fall of 2016.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society's challenges. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2015 (ended March 31, 2016) totaled 10,034.3 billion yen ($88.8 billion). The Hitachi Group is a global leader in the Social Innovation Business, and it has approximately 335,000 employees worldwide. Through collaborative creation, Hitachi is providing solutions to customers in a broad range of sectors, including Power / Energy, Industry / Distribution / Water, Urban Development, and Finance / Government & Public / Healthcare. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.