29 March 2016
Preventing drivers to apply alternative gases instead of their breathes
Prototype of portable breath-based alcohol detection device
Tokyo, March 24, 2016 – Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501) and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (TSE: 7267)‘s subsidiary Honda R&D Co., Ltd. (Honda) announced they have successfully developed a prototype of a portable alcohol detector that is tamper-resistant as it can distinguish human breath from alternative gases and that can be integrated into smart key. This device is capable of distinctively detecting the saturated water vapor from human breath and accurately measuring alcohol level within 3 seconds once a driver exhales breath onto the device. Hitachi and Honda jointly collaborated on this technology development in an effort to create the ideal alcohol detector.
They also developed a system that can show the alcohol level measured by the detector on the vehicle’s display panel. It can become an ignition interlock to stop a vehicle starting its engine when it detects a driver under the influence of alcohol.
The effort to prevent or stop drunk driving is global and is an on-going focus of progress in safe driving technology. In Japan, transportation operators are required to use an alcohol detector to test whether professional drivers are under the influence of alcohol before they begin their shifts. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched and directed the development of ignition interlock technology that connects alcohol detectors to a vehicle’s engine.
The prototype developed by Hitachi and Honda has advantages over the other ignition interlocks. These other systems require drivers to perform the test from the driver’s seat once they are already inside the vehicle. With the Hitachi/Honda device, drivers can measure their alcohol level from anywhere and, importantly, prior to entering their vehicle, thus reducing the temptation to drive. In addition, the Hitachi/Honda device can confirm that the applied gas is human exhaled breath and can detect the level of alcohol at the same time, an enhancement over currently available devices. Advancements like these will contribute to reducing or eliminating instances of drunk driving.
The features of this newly developed technology are as follows:
(1) Achieved both portability and human breath detection at the same time by making the saturated water vapors sensor very small. Also saves power.
Hitachi has developed sensor technology that can detect the saturated water vapors from human breath with a high degree of sensitivity. When human breath is exhaled onto the sensor which is an oxide insulator*1 sandwiched between the electrodes, the water vapors from the breath is adsorbed on the insulator and then an electric current flows between the electrodes.
When this phenomenon occurs, the sensor can recognize if the applied gas is human breath. Furthermore, micro comb-shaped electrodes are used to extend the length of electrodes and to narrow the distance between electrodes, improving the sensitivity of the sensor. This enables the device to detect a tiny amount of saturated water vapors even though the sensor area has been decreased to only a 5mm square. As a result, the device is highly portable and can be used prior to a driver entering his vehicle. The device is also battery powered that is achieved from a design with the low power consumption technology.
(2) Achieved high accuracy measurement of ethanol concentration using three types of semiconductor gas sensors
In compliance with Japan’s regulations related to drunk driving, the device has an improved ability to accurately measure the ethanol concentration from exhaled breath. The ethanol concentration is measured*2 by three types of semiconductor gas sensors to detect ethanol, metabolized acetaldehyde in breath after drinking, and hydrogen. This method improves accuracy by about three times*3 compared with devices that only use an ethanol sensor for measurement. Also, the device is capable of measuring as little as 0.015 mg/L (an ethanol concentration) compared to 0.15 mg/L of the alcohol which constitutes being “under the influence of alcohol” and a charge of drunk driving in Japan.
(3) Developed a system that is integrated into a smart key function
By applying the recorded measurement result of the alcohol detector into the engine ignition mechanism, the system can prevent the vehicle’s engine from starting if it detects that the driver’s breath is over the preset limit. An alert indicator also shows the measurement results on the vehicle’s display panel if the detector equipped smart key is close to the driver seat.
When validating the efficacy of this newly developed prototype, it was confirmed that the device can detect whether drivers are under the influence of alcohol based on the Japan’s drunk driving regulation within three seconds.
Hitachi and Honda are aiming to commercialize this developed technology through effectively collecting data from future validation tests.
The achievement of this technology will be presented on April 12 – 14, at the SAE 2016 World Congress and Exhibit, which will be held in Detroit, Michigan, USA.
*1 Oxide insulator: an insulator with metal-oxide such as glass or ceramic.
*2 The concentration is calculated by differential evolution algorithm. The algorithm is one of the numerical analysis methods to obtain best solutions for plural unknown parameters in equations.
*3 Compared by Hitachi.
About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society’s challenges with our talented team and proven experience in global markets. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal 2014 (ended March 31, 2015) totaled 9,761 billion yen ($81.3 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes power & infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, construction machinery, high functional materials & components, automotive systems, healthcare and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.
About Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Honda (TSE: 7267), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a global manufacture of vehicle, motorcycle and power product that sold more than 28 million units in the year of 2014. Also the company has started the delivery of Honda Jet since the end of 2015, and the fundamental researches for the future advanced technology including robotics is still on going. Since its foundation in 1948, based upon the dream of using technology as a means of serving people and following Honda Philosophy, Honda has continuously challenged to create technologies and make products that bring joy to our customers around the world. For more information on Honda, please visit the company's website at http://world.honda.com.
Contacts
U.S. : Tamie Nagamoto
Hitachi America, Ltd.
Phone: +1-914-333-2987
E-mail: tamie.nagamoto@hal.hitachi.com
Japan : Konomi Watanabe
Hitachi, Ltd.
Phone: +81-3-5208-9325
E-mail: konomi.watanabe.ro@hitachi.com
Hitachi in Canada
At Hitachi, green and digital innovation drives our mission as climate change innovators. Converging operational and information technologies, Hitachi is addressing societal and environmental challenges, shaping a greener, brighter tomorrow for all.
8 April 2016
Commence proof-of-concept with customers
Tokyo, April 8, 2016 – Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501) today announced the development of “EMIEW3,” a humanoid robot, and its “remote brain”*1 robotics IT platform. EMIEW3, capable of autonomously approaching customers requiring assistance, was developed to provide necessary services and guidance in stores and public facilities. Enhanced by the “remote brain” consisting of a robotics IT platform connected to cloud-based intelligent processing systems and a remote operation system to monitor and control multiple robots at various locations, EMIEW3 is able to provide high quality services. Using the EMIEW3, robotics IT platform, and ‘developers/operators’ package, Hitachi together with customers, will commence proof-of-concept (PoC) on new robot services for various situations and environments.
Since the announcement of “EMIEW” in 2005, Hitachi has continued to develop human symbiotic robots that can safely co-exist with humans, providing robot-based services with advanced communication capabilities. Using EMIEW2, first announced in 2007, Hitachi developed functions necessary for customer and guidance services, and demonstrated capabilities which include autonomous mobility at a brisk human walking pace, isolation of human voice from background noise, accessing information from the Web to identify objects and using indoor network cameras as “eyes” to locate objects. More recently, artificial intelligence technology was applied for functions requiring advanced intelligent processing such as for dialogue with appropriate response to questions posed in different forms and predictive function to avoid collision with moving objects which may suddenly appear from blind angles.
Equipped with the various functions developed to date for EMIEW2, the newly developed EMIEW3 is further enhanced with functions to efficiently provide customer and guidance services such as the ability to identify a person requiring assistance, autonomously approach a person and initiate customer services, share information with other EMIEW3 units to ensure smooth service continuation, and if knocked over, to resume a standing position.
Functions achieved with EMIEW3 and the robotics IT platform, are as described below:
1. High activeness based on intelligent processing by the remote brain
A remote brain configuration was used to conduct intelligent processing such as on voice, image and language outside of the robot to enable high quality customer and guidance services. For example, by linking human movement and network cameras for environmental recognition, the robot can identify customers requiring support and autonomously initiate customer services. Further, the voice and language processing technology allows voice to be recognized and translated even with background street noise, thus supporting business in communities with a large number of tourists.
2. High operation availability of robot services
The remote operation system which monitors and controls multiple robots at different locations allows information to be shared between multiple robots and enables smooth transfer of services. Further, in the event of robot failure, restoration instructions can be sent from a remote location to quickly resume services, thus improving the operation availability of robot services.
3. High mobility robot body capable of various services
The practical features previously developed with EMIEW2 for indoor services are kept in EMIEW3 such as its compact height of 90cm, portable weight of 15kg, ability to keep pace with humans adjusting speeds up to a max. of 6km/h and overcome differences in floor levels up to 15mm. In addition, a new ability to resume a standing position if knocked over, has been embedded in EMIEW3.
Using the EMIEW3 and robotics IT platform, Hitachi together with customers will commence demonstration experiments in robot services. To realize practical robot services that will contribute to the advancement of society and business, Hitachi will employ processes such as Hitachi’s original collaborative creation method, NEXPERIENCE,*2 sharing customer challenges and creating solutions together with customers, and open innovation with partners worldwide.
*1 An approach commonly employed in robotics. Functions requiring real-time processing are conducted on the robot side, and those that do not, are conducted on an external system
*2 Hitachi’s original systematized customer collaborative creation process with unique methodologies, tools, and spaces. 15 October 2015 news release “Hitachi Establishes NEXPERIENCE for Accelerating Social Innovation Business” <http://www.hitachi.com/New/cnews/month/2015/10/151015.html>
Hitachi Research Highlights: Robotics website
http://www.hitachi.com/rd/portal/highlight/robotics/index.html
About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society’s challenges with our talented team and proven experience in global markets. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal 2014 (ended March 31, 2015) totaled 9,761 billion yen ($81.3 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes power & infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, construction machinery, high functional materials & components, automotive systems, healthcare and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.
Hitachi in Canada
At Hitachi, green and digital innovation drives our mission as climate change innovators. Converging operational and information technologies, Hitachi is addressing societal and environmental challenges, shaping a greener, brighter tomorrow for all.
2 May 2016
Ansaldo Honolulu Providing First Driverless Rail Transit System in the US
Honolulu, Hawaii, May 2, 2016 --Today, Honolulu’s Train # 1 was unveiled to the residents of the city at the Rail Operations & Control Center of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART). The four car train, manufactured by Hitachi Rail Italy, is a key component of the first driverless rail transit system in the USA. The transit system is being built in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Ansaldo Honolulu Joint Venture (AHJV) – a Hawaii partnership between Hitachi Group Companies, Ansaldo STS (ASTS) and Hitachi Rail Italy (HRI) – presented the train to the city of Honolulu and HART.
Train # 1 of this World Class Transit System for Honolulu, was delivered on time. The successful achievement of meeting this deadline, represents another important step forward in the consolidation of Ansaldo STS‘s and Hitachi Rail Italy positions in the USA.
Hitachi Rail Italy is responsible for the design, manufacturing and testing of 20, 4-car driverless trains for the project. “Delivering the first train of this new, wonderful metro,” declares Maurizio Manfellotto, Chief Executive Officer of Hitachi Rail Italy, “not only makes us proud of the work done, but also underscores the quality level reached by the company which I have the privilege to lead. We reached this goal thanks to the intellect of the women and men who work every day in our factories, with consistency and dedication, creating trains that deliver world-class performance.”
Ansaldo STS is responsible for the design, manufacturing, installation and testing of signaling, traction electrification, communications, platform screen gates and other systems, including maintenance and recovery vehicles. “Ansaldo STS provides the technology that will allow the train to move safely,” stated Stefano Siragusa, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Ansaldo STS. “If millions of people move safely, it is due to Ansaldo STS technology that provides the brain and the heart of the trains.”
Ansaldo STS is also responsible for the first 12 years of Operations and Maintenance of the system, which will operate and maintain security of a new generation of trains with the most advanced and proven technologies that have contributed to the success and reputation of Ansaldo STS and Hitachi Rail Italy around the world.
Contacts
External Communications:
Ansaldo STS
Andrea Razeto, tel. +39 010 6552068
andrea.razeto@ansaldo-sts.com
Hitachi Rail Italy:
Alessio De Sio, tel. +39.366.6824010
alessio.desio@hitachirail.com
Project Director:
Ansaldo Honolulu JV
Enrico Fontana, tel. +1 808 356 3000
enrico.fontana@ansaldohonolulu.com
Investor Relations:
Ansaldo STS
Roberto Corsanego, tel. +39 010 6552076
roberto.corsanego@ansaldo-sts.com
Hitachi America, Ltd.
Tamie Nagamoto, tel. +1-914-333-2987
Tamie.Nagamoto@hal.hitachi.com
Hitachi in Canada
At Hitachi, green and digital innovation drives our mission as climate change innovators. Converging operational and information technologies, Hitachi is addressing societal and environmental challenges, shaping a greener, brighter tomorrow for all.
18 May 2016
Hitachi in Canada
At Hitachi, green and digital innovation drives our mission as climate change innovators. Converging operational and information technologies, Hitachi is addressing societal and environmental challenges, shaping a greener, brighter tomorrow for all.
23 May 2016
-- Brand communications aimed at accelerating collaborative creation --
- Campaign Copy
- Campaign Logo
Tokyo, Japan, May 23, 2016 --- Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501) today announced that the Hitachi Group launches the new “Global Brand Campaign” that is aligned with the management vision based on the “2018 Mid-term Management Plan” created during the current fiscal year. The new campaign will be rolled out simultaneously in 19 countries through various media. Under the campaign copy “THE FUTURE IS OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS,” the goal of this campaign is to build the brand through collaborative creation with customers and partners.
For three years starting in 2013, concurrently with the 2015 Mid-term Management Plan, Hitachi has been rolling out the Global Brand Campaign, in which it communicates a unified message throughout the world. These activities, which are a first for Hitachi, increase the presence of Hitachi as a global brand, while at the same time supporting the growth of the Social Innovation Business through tie-ins with businesses in various regions.
The goal of the 2018 Mid-term Management Plan, which was created during the current fiscal year, is to make maximum use of IT and OT (operational technologies), two of Hitachi’s core strengths, and to promote the further growth of the Social Innovation Business, while at the same time accelerating collaborative creation with customers as an innovation partner in the IoT era. In the new “Global Brand Campaign,” in order to illustrate Hitachi’s commitment to lead innovations in both society and industry in the IoT era through the Social Innovation Business, the “Hitachi Social Innovation” campaign logo has been created along with the campaign copy “THE FUTURE IS OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS,” embodying Hitachi’s strong determination to achieve the goals of the 2018 Mid-term Management Plan. TV commercials and Internet advertising provide an exciting means of expressing the ideas achieved through collaborative creation to resolve social issues in the IoT era. The intent is to increase the value of the Hitachi Brand by broadly communicating, to customers and partners throughout the world, Hitachi’s active stance of facing up to and resolving increasingly complex social issues through collaborative creation with stakeholders.
On May 18, as part of the campaign, Hitachi renovated the “Social Innovation Hub,” an internet site that aggregates information related to the Hitachi Group’s activities throughout the world. By further enhancing the transmission of information related to Hitachi’s Social Innovation Business, the company will put in place an environment that further accelerates collaborative creations with customers and partners around the globe.
Social Innovation Hub
http://social-innovation.hitachi
Press Contacts
Japan : Tomoko Sato
Hitachi, Ltd.
+81-3-5208-9324
tomoko.sato.dn@hitachi.com
U.S. : Tamie Nagamoto
Hitachi America, Ltd.
+1-914-333-2987
tamie.nagamoto@hal.hitachi.com
Hitachi in Canada
At Hitachi, green and digital innovation drives our mission as climate change innovators. Converging operational and information technologies, Hitachi is addressing societal and environmental challenges, shaping a greener, brighter tomorrow for all.
29 July 2016
Tokyo, July 29, 2016 --- Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501) today announced the executive changes. Please click here to read the complete press release http://www.hitachi.com/New/cnews/month/2016/07/f_160729a.pdf
Press Contacts
Japan
Mickey Takeuchi
Hitachi, Ltd.
+81-3-5208-9324
masayuki.takeuchi.cc@hitachi.com
U.S.
Tamie Nagamoto
Hitachi America, Ltd.
+1-914-333-2987
tamie.nagamoto@hal.hitachi.com
Hitachi in Canada
At Hitachi, green and digital innovation drives our mission as climate change innovators. Converging operational and information technologies, Hitachi is addressing societal and environmental challenges, shaping a greener, brighter tomorrow for all.
29 July 2016
Tokyo, July 29, 2016 --- Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501) today announced its consolidated financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2016, ended June 30, 2016.
Note: All figures were converted at the rate of 103 yen to the U.S. dollar, the approximate exchange rate on the Tokyo Foreign Exchange Market as of June 30, 2016.
For more information, please click here http://www.hitachi.com/New/cnews/month/2016/07/160729.html
Press Contacts
Japan
Mickey Takeuchi
Hitachi, Ltd.
+81-3-5208-9324
masayuki.takeuchi.cc@hitachi.com
U.S.
Tamie Nagamoto
Hitachi America, Ltd.
+1-914-333-2987
tamie.nagamoto@hal.hitachi.com
Hitachi in Canada
At Hitachi, green and digital innovation drives our mission as climate change innovators. Converging operational and information technologies, Hitachi is addressing societal and environmental challenges, shaping a greener, brighter tomorrow for all.
3 August 2016
A real-time analytics system prototype to realize self-service data analytics
Tokyo, August 3, 2016 – Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501) today announced the development of a database management system optimized for the high-speed embedded memory in the hardware (FPGA *1) and technology for high performance parallel data processing in FPGAs. Using these technologies, speed of data analytics was successfully increased by up to a maximum of 100 times compared with not using these technologies. Further, the two technologies developed were combined with “Pentaho Business Analytics,” a business analytics software*2 developed by Pentaho Corporation (a Hitachi Group company) to visualize business analytics results, and with flash storage for data storage, to create a prototype real-time data analytics system. The prototype will contribute to realizing self-service data analytics enabling employees in the field to easily and quickly execute data analytics on massive business data.
In recent years, self-service analytics that allow employees in the field to easily conduct big data analytics, usually conducted by experts such as data scientists, is gaining attention. One example might be that of a financial advisor, listening to a customer requirements, entering the information into the analytics system on the spot, and being able to suggest a financial product which matches the customer’s needs. As can be imagined from this example, the data analytics system for self-service data analytics needs to produce results quickly, and thus must have high processing capabilities to execute data read and data analysis processes. By using flash storage*3 instead of a hard disk drive to store data, the data read performance was increased by up to 10 to 100 times. Data analysis performance, however, has been unable to keep up with data read performance, thus creating a bottleneck in the analytics.
To overcome this issue, Hitachi developed a database management system optimized for the high-speed embedded memory in the hardware (FPGA) and technology to conduct high speed parallel data processing in the FPGAs, and succeeded in increasing data analytics speed by up to a maximum of 100 times. A real-time data analytics system prototype was then built by combining these two technologies with Pentaho Business Analytics for visualization of results, and flash storage for data store (Figure1).
The outline of the two technologies developed is as described below.
1. Database management system optimized for high-speed memory in hardware (FPGA)
FPGA is equipped with small but high-speed internal memory (few MB), and connected to large but low-speed external memory (few GB). In the data format used in column-oriented or columnar databases,*4 data management information which shows the location of data is larger than the internal memory and needed to be stored in the external memory. This management information, however, is required to determine the location of the data and frequently referred every time accessing the data. Thus, storing this information on large but low-speed external memory slows down the processing speed. In this research, a database management system was developed where the database was subdivided into multiple data segments so that the management information of each data segments could be handled by the FPGA internal memory, stored in the flash storage, and processed within the FPGA by each data segment. This database management system enables high-speed processing (Figure 2). (13 patent applications have been filed)
2. Technology for high-speed parallel data processing by the hardware (FPGA)
Parallel data processing is widely adopted to conduct high-speed processing. In column-oriented or columnar database, however, this is difficult as the processing of one column must finish before the next column can be processed. To overcome this, a column processing method was developed to enable a set number of columns to be processed in turn. Parallel data processing was realized using this method together with a data filter circuit to select the data for analytics, and an aggregation circuit to group the data and calculate values such as total or average, to realize parallel data processing.
Hitachi plans to exhibit these technologies at the Flash Memory Summit 2016, to be held from 9-11 August 2016 in Santa Clara, California, USA.
Fig. 1 Configuration of the data analytics system
Fig.2 Details of the technologies developed
Notes:
*1 FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array): An integrated circuit manufactured to be programmable by the purchaser. In general, FPGA is inexpensive compared to application specific circuits.
*2 Business analytics software: Software to specify how to analyze the data and view the results.
*3 Flash storage: Storage equipment employing flash memory as the storage device.
*4 Column-oriented or columnar database: A database designed for efficient processing of data related to items, e.g. transaction data for a given item.
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.
Press Contacts
U.S.:
Tamie Nagamoto
Hitachi America Ltd.
+1-914-333-2987
tamie.nagamoto@hal.hitachi.com
Japan:
Konomi Watanabe
Hitachi, Ltd.
+81-3-5208-9325
konomi.watanabe.ro@hitachi.com
Hitachi in Canada
At Hitachi, green and digital innovation drives our mission as climate change innovators. Converging operational and information technologies, Hitachi is addressing societal and environmental challenges, shaping a greener, brighter tomorrow for all.
7 September 2016
“Hitachi Environmental Innovation 2050”
Tokyo, September 5, 2016 --- Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501; “Hitachi”) today announced its set of long-term environmental targets with a view towards 2050, called “Hitachi Environmental Innovation 2050”. In “Hitachi Environmental Innovation 2050”, under its “Environmental Vision” which sets forth a vision for the company through environmental management, Hitachi has set targets such as achieving 80% reductions in CO2 emissions across the company’s value chain by fiscal 2050 compared with fiscal 2010, achieving a 50% improvement in the efficiency of the use of water and other resources by fiscal 2050 compared with fiscal 2010, and minimizing the impact on natural capital; for building a low-carbon society, a resource efficient society, and a harmonized society with nature. Moving ahead, Hitachi will drive forward with initiatives towards the future achievement of these targets.
In recent years, the will for society to work towards the reduction of environmental burdens, and towards the resolution of global environmental issues in the long term, has been demonstrated by agreements such as the Paris Agreement adopted at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP21, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by a United Nations. Additionally, because the Social Innovation Business that Hitachi is developing globally are long-term business operations relating to the construction of social infrastructure, a long-term environmental perspective is also essential in accelerating the development of these business operations.
In light of these developments, and from a long-term perspective, Hitachi believes that it is necessary to take steps to combat environmental issues such as climate change, depletion of resources and destruction of ecosystems; and has therefore established the “Hitachi Environmental Innovation 2050” as a set of long-term environmental targets to achieve by 2050.
The outline of “Hitachi Environmental Innovation 2050” is as follows.
Long-Term Environmental Targets: “Hitachi Environmental Innovation 2050”
“Hitachi Environmental Innovation 2050” is a set of targets for 2050 established under the “Environmental Vision” that “Hitachi will resolve environmental issues and achieve both a higher quality of life and a sustainable society through its Social Innovation Business in collaborative creation with its stakeholders”, whereby Hitachi will aim to globally build a low-carbon society, a resource efficient society, and a harmonized society with nature.
1. Realization of a Low-Carbon Society
(1) Target
Achieve 50% reductions in CO2 emissions by fiscal 2030, and 80% reductions by fiscal 2050 across the value chain compared to fiscal 2010
(2) Initiatives
CO2 emissions at the “Use” stage of the product and solutions, which Hitachi delivers to customers, account for more than 90% of CO2 emissions in the entire Hitachi value chain. To reduce emissions at this stage, Hitachi is adopting the following four action policies. Continuous efforts are also being made to reduce emissions at the “Production” stage.
a) Move business structure to low-carbon model
b) Develop innovative devices and materials that contribute to reduction of
environmental burden
c) Develop and provide super-efficient, energy-saving products and low-carbon
energy
d) Provide energy-conserving social system solutions through cooperative
harmonization between systems, across a wider area, and in an integrated way
2. Realization of a Resource Efficient Society
(1) Target
Build a society that uses water and other resources efficiently and achieve a 50% improvement in usage efficiency of water and other resources by fiscal 2050 compared to fiscal 2010 in the Hitachi Group
(2) Initiatives
To maximize its contribution to the construction of a water and resource circulating society through its business operations, Hitachi will evolve a series of processes comprising of high-quality water production, purification, water supply and drainage and offer solutions to expand use of recycling. Further, it will create water resources through its global expansion of sea water desalination.
Moreover, Hitachi will also implement the following policy measures with the aim of achieving a 50% improvement in usage efficiency of water and other resources by fiscal 2050 compared to fiscal 2010.
a) Promote efficient use of resources and reduction of waste by manufacturing
resource-saving products with long service lives, and shifting towards servicing
and sharing of businesses
b) Promote recycling of resources through exhaustive product collection and
recycling
c) Reduce volume of water use and reinforce drainage purification and reuse in
production processes in accordance with regional water risks
3. Realization of a Harmonized Society with Nature
(1) Target
Minimize the impact on natural capital
(2) Initiatives
Hitachi will evaluate the impact that its operations have on ecosystems at each stage of the value chain, and implement actions to minimize the environmental burden. More specifically, Hitachi will supply products and services that contribute to ecosystem conservation, including atmospheric/water purification systems and nature monitoring systems, and promote environmentally conscious procurement activities. Hitachi will also seek to minimize environmental burden at factories and offices, such as by paying care and consideration to scarce species on factory grounds and managing the volume, quality and temperature of drainage water and exhaust gas emissions.
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.
Press Contacts
Japan
Yuko Taniuchi
Hitachi, Ltd.
+81-3-5208-9324
yuko.taniuchi.fw@hitachi.com
U.S.
Tamie Nagamoto
Hitachi America, Ltd.
+1-914-333-2987
tamie.nagamoto@hal.hitachi.com
Hitachi in Canada
At Hitachi, green and digital innovation drives our mission as climate change innovators. Converging operational and information technologies, Hitachi is addressing societal and environmental challenges, shaping a greener, brighter tomorrow for all.
6 October 2016
50” – 65” Models in 4K Ultra HD Arrive in Stores Beginning this Month
CHULA VISTA, Calif. – October 6, 2016 – Hitachi America, Ltd.’s Digital Media division today announced the introduction and availability of three new 4K Ultra HD Hitachi Roku TV™ models in the US, each featuring the Roku® OS for one of the best streaming experiences in the industry. Every 4K Ultra HD Hitachi Roku TV provides access to more than 3,500 streaming channels, including 350,000+ movies and TV episodes, and the 4K Spotlight channel that offers curated 4K content making it easy to access stunning video.
“At Hitachi, we have always focused on ensuring our televisions deliver exceptional quality and performance to our customers. With our new smart TV lineup, we know it is absolutely critical to deliver a tremendous user experience, as well,” said Bill Whalen, Director of Product Development, Hitachi America, Ltd., Digital Media Division. “The fusion of the Roku OS into our television lineup enables us to deliver one of the best smart TV experiences in the industry.”
All 4K UHD Hitachi Roku TV models include a quad-core processor and 2160p resolution for brilliant image reproduction. The 55”-Class models (55R7, MSRP $599) will be available at Sam’s Club in early October and the 65”-Class (65R8, MSRP $999) and 50”-Class (50R8, MSRP $499) models will follow shortly thereafter.
“Hitachi has incredible brand power and is recognized by consumers for making great TVs,” said Chas Smith, SVP and general manager Roku TV & Players. “With the Roku OS delivering a simple way to access a ton of content and Hitachi’s meticulous attention to quality and performance, consumers will really love these beautiful 4K Roku TVs.”
A Simple Smart TV That Consumers Love
Hitachi Roku TV models feature sharp picture quality and smart and simple features for watching TV. The home screen of Hitachi Roku TVs can be personalized with icons for users’ favorite entertainment choices, including over-the-air antenna, game consoles, and cable boxes, together with preferred streaming channels. The intuitive home screen makes it easy to switch among streaming channels, cable boxes, and other devices. Roku TV offers powerful search and discovery features that can save time and money. Roku search provides an unbiased look across 100+ streaming channels to find movies, TV shows, actors, and directors. Search results are ranked by price, showing where movies and TV shows are free or cheapest to watch. Consumers can use the free Roku mobile app for iOS® and Android™ devices to control their TV, browse and search for content as well as play personal media on the TV. Roku TV models receive automatic software updates that deliver new streaming channels and features ensuring the TV is up to date.
About Roku, Inc.
Roku pioneered streaming for the TV and aspires to power every TV in the world. As of June 2016 the Roku OS powered TV streaming for 10+ million monthly active accounts. Roku is known for streaming innovation and high customer engagement, offering content providers and video advertisers the best way to reach streaming audiences. Roku customers streamed 4 billion hours of video and music in the first six months of 2016 as compared to 5.5 billion hours in all of 2015. Roku streaming players and Roku TV models are available in 10 countries through direct retail sales and licensing arrangements with TV OEMs and service operators. The company was founded by Anthony Wood, inventor of the DVR. Roku is privately held and headquartered in Los Gatos, Calif. U.S.A.
Roku is a registered trademark and Roku TV is a trademark of Roku, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries.
IOS is a trademark or registered trademark of CISCO and is used under license.
Android™ is a trademark of Google Inc.
About Hitachi America, Ltd.
Hitachi America, Ltd. headquartered in Tarrytown, New York, a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., and its subsidiary companies offer a broad range of electronics, power and industrial equipment and services, particle beam therapy technologies, automotive products and consumer electronics with operations throughout the Americas. For more information, visit www.hitachi-america.us. For information on other Hitachi Group companies in the United States, please visit www.hitachi.us.
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 ($88.7 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.
Press Contacts
Daniel O’Connell
Brand Definition
(212) 660-2555 ext. 12
daniel@brand-definition.com
Seana Norvell
Roku
(408) 641-3135
snorvell@roku.com
Hitachi in Canada
At Hitachi, green and digital innovation drives our mission as climate change innovators. Converging operational and information technologies, Hitachi is addressing societal and environmental challenges, shaping a greener, brighter tomorrow for all.