Ministry of Commerce: Hitachi sensors of grain size will change the Internet of Things

Hitachi has developed a technology to collect data on all parts of the product, the data used to improve product functionality and prevent failures. Available in the size of a tiny grain of rice sensor instant perception of metal and other materials changes. Currently, the use of "Internet of Things" (IoT) technology to monitor the entire plant equipment operation is moving toward practical. The technology developed by Hitachi can capture the subtle changes generated by components and improve the performance of automotive engines. This technology is expected to be an opportunity for IoT products to be used around it. The Internet of Things (IoT) can analyze the status of devices through the Internet and improve the operational efficiency. Was first applied to the field of manufacturing, and has since been further used to monitor the operation of the machine in the factory and improve the operation of the production line. In addition, the Internet of Things has also been used to collect data from mining vehicles in order to adjust speed and vehicle arrangements. The Japanese government is also committed to using IT technologies to enhance industrial competitiveness and plans to support the development of the Internet of Things. In Germany, as a part of "Industry 4.0", it is pushing for a reduction in factory production costs, while General Electric proposed to evolve to higher-order industrialization through access to the Internet. At present, countries such as Japan, the United States and Europe are all at the stage of lifting the power of nations to join the technological innovation led by Internet of Things. The new sensor from Hitachi Semiconductor uses semiconductor technology, which is 2.5 mm x 2.5 mm x 0.2 mm in length and width and is ultra-compact and can be mounted on any component. The sensor converts the deformation of the object into a signal due to compression. So close to the surface of the object can measure the shape of the object changes, pressure and vibration and other data. The sensor has the equivalent of 25,000 times the sensitivity of traditional measuring material strength instruments to detect subtle changes in part shape and to save even more power. For example, the sensor installed on the car engine parts, you can use the internal pressure to find out how much the best gasoline injection. The traditional measuring instruments due to bulky, difficult to install in cars and so on. Hitachi has greatly broadened its range of applications by miniaturizing the sensor. The United States General Electric uses the Internet of Things technology to measure the engine speed, auxiliary equipment inspection, and Hitachi's sensor can achieve the naked eye can not monitor the part. At the same time, the technology will also provide the possibility to remind customers to replace parts with new services or develop new insurance products before the machine fails. Hitachi has already begun supplying Japanese auto parts maker SHIMANO and has applied it to new technologies that make electric bikes easier to walk on. In this technology, Hitachi's sensors become a part of the electric power-assisted bicycle, which detects the pressure during pedaling and then transmits data through wireless communications and drives the motor. At the same time, the use of the sensor to predict the failure of construction machinery, elevators, wind power and other empirical experiments have also been launched. In the automotive, industrial machinery, medical, construction, engineering and other fields, Hitachi also with other companies and research institutions to carry out joint development. In the field of medical devices, the sensor is expected to be used to monitor the operation status of a blood supply pump that delivers blood to the patient during surgery. Hitachi strives to sell more than 1 million such sensors every year after fiscal 2020, bringing sales to over 50 billion yen. Hitachi is also considering expanding its IoT offerings to its customers with new sensors.