Hitachi develops world's fastest lift

Hitachi is stepping up efforts to finalise the design of the world’s fastest lift.

In April, it will open the 213-metre tall G1 Tower in Japan, where it will conduct verification tests on a lift with a speed of 1,080 metres per minute (m/min).

The tower will also be used for development of the world's largest high-speed, high-capacity elevator, targeted to carry five tonnes at 600 m/min.

To improve riding comfort in high-speed lifts, Hitachi is developing new vibration control and air pressure adjustment devices.

Further efforts focus on reducing the space required for elevator shafts and reducing the weight of the elevator cars.