Hitachi Elevator Boosts R&D: New Test Tower to Accelerate Next-Generation Technology Implementation, Expanding the Landscape of the World's Tallest Test Towers
Created on 09.09
In an era where elevator technology is constantly striving for breakthroughs, Hitachi Elevator has recently made a significant announcement—it will build a new elevator test tower at its Mito Works (in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan). This initiative aims to accelerate the development of next-generation elevator technology and inject new impetus into the global elevator industry's growth.
This new test tower is by no means a "small-scale project." It has a construction area of 591 square meters, a ground height of 49.5 meters, and is planned to have 4 floors. In terms of the project schedule, construction of the test tower officially commenced in July this year. As per the plan, it is expected to be completed in August next year and put into official use in February 2027. Notably, the new test tower boasts an advantageous geographical location—it is adjacent to an existing elevator test tower owned by Hitachi in Japan, which stands at 213 meters tall and is currently the tallest elevator test tower in Japan.
When talking about Hitachi Elevator's test towers, it is impossible not to mention its "height landscape" on a global scale. In Guangzhou, China, Hitachi has an elevator test tower that reaches a height of 288.8 meters. This test tower is not only the tallest in China but also the tallest elevator test tower in the world currently (for relevant information, please refer to "The World's Tallest Elevator Test Tower, 288.8 Meters, Completed at Hitachi's Factory!"). Regarding the future construction trend of elevator test towers in China, an analysis based on the current elevator market environment suggests that within the next decade, it is highly unlikely that an elevator test tower exceeding 288.8 meters in height will emerge in China again.
Hitachi Elevator's construction of this new test tower represents a crucial layout in the field of technological R&D. It will provide key support for the development of next-generation standard elevators, further consolidate its leading technological position in the global elevator industry, and play a positive role in promoting technological innovation and development within the industry.