Initiatives that contribute to addressing social issues

Building Systems Group

Message from the Group President

Making the Most of the Mitsubishi Electric Group’s Advanced and Environmental Technologies to Provide Solutions that Satisfy Customers in All Aspects of Safety, Comfort, Efficiency and the Environment

Yasuyuki Ito
Representative Executive Officer, Senior Vice President, Group President,
Building Systems

The Building Systems Group manufactures building management systems and elevators and escalators that provide vertical transportation within buildings. As part of our mission to deliver products and systems and the subsequent maintenance thereof, we believe it is important to give priority to the safety and security of our customers throughout the product lifecycle. In doing so, we help to create a comfortable, environment-friendly society through our products and services. Maintaining this promise, the Building Systems Group is focused on the following initiatives:

Pursuing user-friendly, eco-conscious products
1. Promoting the development of high-efficiency, energy-saving products and technologies, and saving resources by designing products and systems that are safe and easy to use for everybody.
2. Promoting the renewal of existing equipment and facilities in order to reduce power consumption and improve safety and convenience, and minimizing waste emissions by reusing parts whenever possible.
3. Working to reduce the energy consumed during production and testing processes, and regulating the management of chemical substances on a consistent basis at manufacturing bases in Japan and overseas.
Offering one-stop ZEB^*1 solutions
- As a ZEB planner^*2 registered ahead of other comprehensive electrical machinery manufacturers, Mitsubishi Electric offers one-stop solutions, from support for the design of ZEBs to services that contribute to customers’ energy-saving efforts after the start of operations. We also support initiatives to improve the added value of buildings beyond a higher level of energy efficiency.

*1 ZEB (net Zero Energy Building): A building where the net consumption of fossil fuel energy is zero or roughly zero, offset by energy savings and the utilization of renewable energy resources.
*2 ZEB planner: A registration system introduced by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2017 for the dissemination of ZEB.

Major social issues for which risks and opportunities have been recognized and evaluated	Focusing on the SDGs
Optimal use of energy Development and dissemination of innovative infrastructure Development of safe, secure, comfortable and sustainable cities Waste reduction

Initiatives that Contribute to Addressing Social Issues

Pursuing Comfort, Universal Design, and Eco-Consciousness in Elevators

・AXIEZ Series – Standardized Elevators for the Japanese Market

With the aim of manufacturing elevators accessible to and comfortable to use for everybody, in 1997 we introduced a universal design for our standardized elevators sold in the Japanese market. AXIEZ, the current model, is carefully designed so that buttons and LCD indicators can be easily identified even by people who are color blind, and obtained Color Universal Design (CUD) certification. Furthermore, in order for overseas visitors to be able to use elevators with greater ease, announcements and LCD displays are made in two languages (i.e., Japanese and English) during normal operation and in four languages (Chinese and Korean in addition to Japanese and English) in times of emergency.

From the environmental perspective, AXIEZ Series elevators greatly reduce power consumption and achieve an energy savings of up to 20% compared to conventional models. They accomplish this by using a gearless traction machine equipped with a permanent magnet motor, LED ceiling lighting inside the car, reduced standby power when the elevator is not in operation, and optimized balance between the car and counterweight. A further reduction in power consumption can be achieved if a converter system that stores and uses electricity generated during braking is installed.

icon: AXIEZ Series – Standardized Elevators for the Japanese Market

・Standardized Elevators for International Markets

Elevator for India
NEXIEZ-LITE

The NEXIEZ Series, a line of standardized elevators for international markets use a gearless traction machine equipped with a permanent magnet motor. This results in a more compact, lightweight design and a 20% reduction in power consumption compared to conventional models. Further reductions in power consumption can be achieved by installing LED interior lighting and a converter system that stores and uses electricity generated during braking. For Europe, where people are very environmentally conscious, we have introduced MOVE, which saves space and reduces the burden on the environment for low- to medium-rise office buildings and condominiums. NEXIEZ-LITE for India, where power outages occur often, we provide a function that automatically checks the elevator conditions and swiftly lands the elevator car at the nearest floor using a battery in the event passengers are confined in the car due to a power outage as a standard function to support the needs of local users.

・Disaster Prevention Functions

Our elevators have built-in disaster prevention functions in case of various disasters, including earthquakes, fires and flooding due to heavy rain. For example, in the event of an earthquake, when a sensor detects the first tremor (P-waves) or when a large quake is forecast based on earthquake early warnings distributed by the Japan Meteorological Agency, the cars will park at the nearest floor to reduce the risk of passengers becoming trapped inside. Additionally, ELE-Quick is included in the elevator maintenance menu. This diagnosis/recovery system enables an elevator to automatically determine whether or not there is any anomaly after it is stopped by the earthquake emergency operation system. When it is determined that operation is safe, elevator service resumes, and elevators are put back in use quicker than conventional systems.

・ELE NAVI Security-linked Elevator Destination Forecast System

When elevator passengers pass through a security gate, their destination floors are automatically registered in the system based on security information stored in their ID card, such as an employee card. Furthermore, passengers are advised as to which elevator to board on a display at the security gate. This eliminates the need to press buttons in the elevator hall or inside the elevator car. It also minimizes stops by assembling passengers into a single car according to their destination floors. Boarding times can be shortened during rush hours, such as the beginning of office hours, and transport efficiency is improved. As a result, congestion in the elevator hall is eased.

illustration: Disaster Prevention Functions

Supporting Safe and Comfortable Use of Elevators and Escalators with Maintenance Services

・ELE FIRST-i plus Remote Maintenance Service

ELE FIRST-i plus is a preventive maintenance service provided by Mitsubishi Electric Building Techno-Service Co., Ltd. A remote inspection system checks equipment during normal operation 24/7, 365 days a year, and if it finds any "modulation" leading to failure, the company’s information center is alerted. Technicians then conduct a detailed onsite inspection, and maintenance is carried out after narrowing down the check points utilizing data provided by the monitoring system. If one or more passengers is trapped in an elevator car, the system automatically alerts the information center and analyzes the status of the elevator. When rescue is deemed required, the staff confirms the situation by communicating with passengers via an intercom transceiver and camera mounted inside the elevator car. A rescue attempt is then made via remote access, while technicians are simultaneously dispatched to the site. Furthermore, any problem, including assaults or a medical crisis, can be detected through analysis of images captured by the camera. Any anomaly is flagged by announcements or buzzers. In times of emergency, the elevator can be forced to stop at every floor via remote access.

ELE FIRST-i plus

・M's BRIDGE™ Global Remote Maintenance Service for Elevators

In the growing global elevator market, the need for user convenience and comfort as well as safety is increasing, and the importance of maintenance services supporting such needs are attracting attention. M's BRIDGE uses Mitsubishi Electric's unique IoT platform to automatically detect a failure remotely and analyze and investigate the cause based on collected failure data remotely. By restoring the elevator service as soon as possible, M's BRIDGE contributes to improved user safety, security, and convenience. In addition, this service uses data collected through remote inspection to prevent elevators from failing and provides quality and efficient maintenance services.

Conceptual diagram of M's BRIDGE

Further Improving Safety, Comfort, and Functionality Through Elevator and Escalator Renewal

・Elemotion+ Elevator Renewal Menu

Elemotion+ [ZERO]

To maintain the safety, security and comfort of elevators, renewal at appropriate times^*1 is essential. The Elemotion+ menu facilitates the renewal of existing rope-type elevators to the latest model equipped with an inverter-controlled system, a gearless traction machine and permanent magnet motor. With the adoption of a system to protect elevators from moving with the door opened^*2 and devices in accordance with the latest seismic criteria, this menu provides safe, secure, smooth and comfortable rides. Moreover, Elemotion+ offers a variety of replacement equipment, enabling customers to make decisions based on budget, preferred installation time, and the ability to reduce waste.

The addition of Elemotion+ [ZERO] has made it possible to conduct renewal work with zero days of consecutive elevator stoppage. We are promoting elevator renewals by making it easy for customers to plan renewal work.

*1 Mitsubishi Electric regards 25 years after completion of a building as an indication for renewal.
*2 A system to prevent elevators from traveling with the door open even in the event of abnormalities in the control circuit or brake.

・Esmotion+ Escalator Renewal Menu

Safety advantages of the Esmotion+ escalator renewal menu

To maintain the safety and security of escalators as well, renewal at appropriate times^* is necessary. A renewal of escalators to a model with an inverter system facilitated by the Esmotion+ menu provides them with the latest safety measures that allow the escalators to be used with a sense of security. When the safety system is in operation or the emergency switch is pressed, the escalator stops slowly to reduce the risk of passengers stumbling or falling. However, when the escalator detects an object caught in the escalator, it stops the escalator immediately. By stopping the escalator slowly or immediately depending on the situation in this way, safety during emergencies has been improved. The inverter system, which enables the speed to be switched to a slow speed for senior citizens and children to get on and off easily, also considers the safety of users.

* Mitsubishi Electric regards 25 years after completion of a building as an indication for renewal.

Providing Safety and Security with Entrance/Exit Management and Video Surveillance Through Integrated Building Security Systems

・MELSAFETY Integrated Building Security System

MELSAFETY

Amid calls for more stringent compliance and confidential information management, MELSAFETY meets the security needs of all types of buildings, from small-size to medium and large-scale buildings, as well as offices, hospitals, and factories.

By linking entrance/exit management systems and video surveillance systems, both tasks can be carried out on the same screen. As a result, it eliminates the need to compare two different sets of records, thereby realizing efficient security management. Furthermore, by linking with attendance management systems, attendance records can be tracked more accurately and efficiently, and by linking with visitor reception systems, labor savings can be achieved in reception work as well. Multiple business site management systems can help improve efficiency and reduce labor.

Supporting Energy Savings and Comfort for Variety of Buildings Through Building Facilities Operations Systems

・BuilUnity Building Total Solution

Building total solution BuilUnity

BuilUnity is a packaged system that integrates a central monitoring system with the functions of a security system. Using room entrance history and ID information of people in the room, the system enables linked control of building facilities, such as air conditioners and lighting, in accordance with the occupancy status of the rooms, thereby saving energy and improving comfort. Additionally, a cloud service contract enables monitoring and control of facility status, from a single building to multiple structures, wherever you are as long as you have a smartphone or tablet. The system thus contributes to increasing efficiency in building management operations.

・Facima Building Automation System – Building Facilities Planning and Operations System

Facima Building Automation System – Building Facilities Planning and Operations System

Facima is a centralized system for monitoring and controlling systems such as air conditioning and lighting facilities in medium- and large-sized buildings. It optimizes demand control by monitoring peak energy demand and stopping the operation of air-conditioning and lighting facilities as required based on a priority order previously set by the building manager. Combining these features with air-conditioning rotation control, the system automatically controls various building facilities, achieving sensible energy conservation with user comfort and convenience in mind. Additionally, when used in combination with our support service, Facima collects and analyzes data on building facilities operation, visualizes energy use conditions, and proposes energy-saving and cost-reducing options for the entire building.

Responding to Diversifying Needs of Building Owners by Offering One-Stop ZEB Solutions

・Contributing to Dissemination of ZEB as a ZEB Planner

ZEB Planner logo

Mitsubishi Electric manufactures various products and systems that contribute to achieving high levels of energy efficiency. These products and systems cover five facility categories vital to ZEB: air conditioning, ventilation, lighting, hot water supply, and vertical transport (elevators/escalators). In addition to the products and systems in these categories, our lineup also includes building energy management systems (BEMS) and substation facilities. As a ZEB planner, Mitsubishi Electric helps customers nationwide introduce ZEB.

Example ZEB Layout

Contributing to the Achievement of a Smart Building where People and Robots Co-exist Safely Inside the Building

・Demonstration of the Service Supporting Robots in Traveling within a Building

In recent years, it is expected that a smart building that uses IoT to provide space where people can work efficiently in a secure environment while achieving energy efficiency and labor savings will be realized. Mitsubishi Electric has carried out a demonstration of the service that supports robots in traveling within a building in an actual environment in which robots use elevators to travel across multiple floors with consideration to the safety of people and passes restricted areas by using authentication information. We aim to provide a service that allows building owners and administrators to efficiently use robots.

Smart Building Service Platform Image

Supporting Seamless Travel within the Facility by the Guide System Using Animation Lighting

・Animation Lighting Guide System TERASU GUIDE

As traveling within a facility becomes complex recently due to an increase in large-scale complexes, the importance of accurately communicating information to various users, including foreigners, senior citizens, and people using wheelchairs, is increasing. The animation lighting guide system TERASU GUIDE projects light animation onto the floor to help facility users understand guidance and cautions intuitively. This will facilitate the flow of people within the complex and enable sign display to be changed easily according to the time and situation, contributing also to reducing labor for building management operations and to reducing the cost of creating sign boards.

Sign display example
TERASU GUIDE logo