#Japan #Tokyo #Good Design #Hitachi #Urban Ace

Hitachi's Urban Ace HF Mirai Elevator

Hitachi Ltd. and Hitachi Building Systems have announced that their new standard elevator series, the Urban Ace HF Mirai (HF Mirai), has received the prestigious 2026 Good Design Award from the Japan Design Promotion Association. This accolade highlights the elevator's exceptional design and technological advancements that contribute to building resilience and digital transformation.

Developed under the supervision of renowned global product designer Naoto Fukasawa at NAOTO FUKASAWA DESIGN LTD., the Urban Ace HF Mirai embodies Hitachi's long-standing development concept of HUMAN FRIENDLY (HF). Scheduled for sale in April 2026, this next-generation connected elevator incorporates wood and stone textures in its flooring and wall design, creating a harmonious and luxurious travel environment.

With a large 12.1-inch LCD indicator and thoughtfully crafted control panels, usability and visibility are prioritized to enhance passenger experience. Additionally, the elevator features smartphone authentication and robot integration, facilitating smooth transit within buildings. Notably, the Urban Ace HF Mirai also implements a new automatic diagnostics system, Helios Drive, which allows for rapid recovery after an earthquake, extending its operational resilience capacity from 120Gal to 200Gal.

Supporting Business Continuity Planning (BCP) strategies, the elevator incorporates a V2X system that allows electricity to flow from electric vehicles to the elevator during power outages, further enhancing building resilience and emergency preparedness.

As a core component of Hitachi’s next-generation solution group, HMAX for Buildings, the Urban Ace HF Mirai works in tandem with the digital service BuilMirai. This integration allows for the utilization of operational and maintenance data generated by the elevator, promoting visibility into building systems, improving maintenance quality, and streamlining operations. Additionally, it facilitates connections between the elevator and various building systems and services, contributing to a safe, comfortable, and valuable building environment.

The Urban Ace HF Mirai is not just a step forward in elevator technology but also serves as a foundational platform for advanced data utilization and the future application of physical AI, aligning with the vision of enhancing building operations.

Design Features and Innovations

• - Interior Design Variations: The elevator features a variety of interior designs that emphasize comfort and aesthetics.
• - High Visibility LCD Indicator: The large LCD display inside the elevator drastically increases informational visibility, helping passengers stay informed during their ride.

The jury's review praised the Urban Ace HF Mirai for its innovative approach, viewing elevators not merely as transport devices but as environments where people can experience comfort. It carefully considered the overall space, employing realistic wood and stone materials, optimized lighting, and a seamless design in control panels. Furthermore, digital technologies such as large LCD displays and smartphone integration have been naturally integrated to enhance visibility and user convenience. The design also emphasizes resilience as part of the societal infrastructure by ensuring attributes like automatic recovery from disasters and vehicle-to-elevator power supply.

Hitachi’s Connected Industries (CI) sector, Urban Solutions and Services Business Unit focuses on developing solutions like HMAX for Buildings, leveraging extensive data sets from existing products combined with advanced AI to maximize customer lifetime value and transform industries on a global scale. The aim is to contribute to a harmonious society where environment, happiness, and economic growth coexist.

For more information, visit the official website Good Design Award and the dedicated pages for Urban Ace HF Mirai and BuilMirai. Hitachi, as a leader in social innovation through digital transformation, remains committed to addressing the growing challenges facing societies worldwide and fostering a sustainable future.

For inquiries, please contact Hitachi Building Systems Customer Support Center at 0120-7838-99 (toll-free).