CSR New Value Creation

The Fujitsu General Group's business concentrates on the air conditioners, information and communication systems, and electronic devices sectors, and has made great progress. And, we will continue to promote sustainable management with an eye to the future, 10 years, 20 years, and beyond, without pursuing only short-term results, and aim to become a corporate group that contributes to the realization of a comfortable, safe, and secure society through the creation of new value.

1. Promotion of new business creation activities

The Fujitsu General Group, since it began its role as a manufacturer, has always grown through technological progress and innovation, being the first in the industry to introduce leading-edge products to the global market.

With an eye on the next 10 to 20 years, we are working to create new value through innovation and technology to realize a society where future generations can live with joy and hope.

Creation of Innovation Future of Innovation Challenge (FIC)

While the Being Innovative Group (BIG) is working on innovation through small group activities, in order to practice the Corporate Philosophy and create a culture that takes on challenges, we launched in 2020 The Future of Innovation Challenge (FIC). This is an idea-seeking activity for new business creation to create and scale businesses that solve social issues, with individual ideas for all Fujitsu General Group employees. For the second FIC, the first round of selection was held in September 2021, and five ideas passed the screening process. After that, in order to consider a concrete concept for the next phase of commercialization, we conducted prototyping, business model examination and customer verification for about 2 months from October to the end of December in 2021, and made efforts for the second round of selection.

The second round of selection was held in December 2021 in the Center Court of the ICC*1 building, where each idea was presented for 10 minutes. This was followed by a 10-minute question-and-answer session, and then a review was made based on the screening criteria, after which the judges deliberated and decided whether to consider the ideas for commercialization.

As a result of deliberation, three ideas passed as they were deemed to have great potential for the future business. Regarding the ideas that passed, we are continuing to verify matters with a view to the review on the feasibility of commercialization.

*1
Abbreviation for Innovation & Communication Center

Launch of BIG

In 2016, we launched the Being Innovative Group (BIG) organization dedicated to embodying the idea of "creating and delivering new value to the world," working on innovation through small-group activities.

The wearable air conditioner Cómodo gearTM created from BIG’s efforts began full-scale provision to domestic companies in 2021, following test sales for domestic companies in FY2020.

2. Providing sustainable products

ATW (Hot water central heating with heat pumps)

ATW (Hot water central heating with heat pumps)

In Europe, room heating is based on radiator and floor heating which runs off of a central hot water supply, with approximately 80% of the domestic energy consumption represented by room and water heating.

Unlike conventional radiators and underfloor heating systems, ATW (heat-pump*1 hot water heating system) is and environmentally friendly and energy-efficient hot water heating equipment. It does not use fossil fuels as it produces hot water using a heat pump system that extracts heat from the atmosphere and circulates it through pipes to heat the house. For this reason, in recent years, subsidies for construction have been developed by the French government and other countries in line with their decarbonization policies.

ATWs employ highly efficient heat pump technology and can be operated without GHG emissions. They are also safe, comfortable, and efficient hot water systems. We predict that the demand for ATW in the heating market will grow significantly in the future as the shift from combustion heating equipment using fossil fuels progresses further, and in April 2022, we established a new division dedicated to the development of ATW, the "Chilled / Heated Water Air Conditioner Development Department."

Establishing the new division will accelerate the joint development of the Water Stage, a more efficient heat pump ATW based on DC inverter technology for air conditioners, and expand the product lineup through prompt communication with Atlantic, a French air conditioner manufacturer that we have been working with in joint development since 2009.

*1
Heat pump technology effectively utilizes the renewable energy of air heat derived from solar energy by collecting the ambient heat in the air and supplying it indoors, and it is expected to become more and more popular in the future.

The Gokudan nocria inverter ACs for cold climate in Japan (‘Gokudan’ means extremely warm in Japanese.)

The Gokudan nocria inverter ACs for cold climate in Japan (‘Gokudan’ means extremely warm in Japanese.)

In recent years, the demand for air conditioners in cold climates has continued to grow due to progress in the high degree of airtightness and thermal insulation of houses, advanced safety of temperature control through indooroutdoor heat exchange without combustion, and increasing demand for cooling in the summer. Furthermore, replacing fossil fuel-based heating equipment is expected to reduce GHG emissions and grow in the future from the perspective of the SDGs as sustainable heating that contributes to the realization of a sustainable society.

Under such circumstances, Fujitsu General Group launched in November 2021 in Japan the "Gokudan nocria" ZN series, heating-enhanced air conditioners for cold climates that realize the industry’s top-class heating capacity*1 and high energy-saving performance*2 and warm the temperature underfoot at a maximum of approximately 40°C*4 with hot air of up to approximately 60°C*3.

*1
In AS-ZN 402 M2 domestic wall-mounted home AC 4.0 kW. Heating capacity of 9.4 kW with an outside temperature of 2°C. As of September 1, 2021 According to our company research.
*2
In AS-ZN402 M2. Seasonal Energy Consumption: 1,081 kWh. As of September 1, 2021
*3
In AS-ZN 402 M2. Checked the maximum temperature near the air outlet for approximately 30 minutes in Company’s environmental test room (approx. 26 m2), when the outside temperature is -15°C, the set temperature is 25°C, the room temperature is reached, the air volume is at high wind, the air direction is standard for heating, and Warm Up and High Power are set. Airflow is approximately 50% lower than the heating rating. In some cases, the temperature may not reach 60°C depending on the installation environment and usage conditions. For AS-ZN252 M and AS-ZN282 M2, when the outside temperature is 2°C.
*4
In AS-ZN402 M2. Maximum temperature 10 cm above the floor at a distance of approximately 2.0 m from the air conditioner in the Company’s environmental test room (approx. 26 m2), when the outside temperature is -15°C, the set temperature is 25°C, the room temperature is reached, the set air volume is high wind, the air direction is standard for heating, and Warm Up and High Power are set. Temperature varies depending on the installation environment and usage conditions. For AS-ZN252 M and AS-ZN282 M2, when the outside temperature is 2°C.

Cooling only inverter air conditioners for India

Cooling only inverter air conditioners for India

As a cooling only inverter air conditioner for India, this product is more costeffective than conventional products while adapting to the local environment.

Therefore, it can contribute to alleviating the power supply and demand pressures by reducing power consumption at the time of use by helping to replace constant-speed ACs*1.

*1
ACs that are controlled by repeatedly turning on and off the compressor at a constant revolution based on the set temperature. It takes time to reach the set temperature, causing temperature irregularities.

Small GaN module

Small GaN module

Fujitsu General Electronics Limited (hereinafter referred to as “FGEL”) developed in June 2021, first in industry, small GaN module” (the first Sustainable Product Gold) incorporating a high-voltage GaN-FET chip *1 made by Transphorm of the United States together with a drive circuit and started shipment of samples in the fall of 2021.

By using this GaN module, it is expected to contribute to the realization of highly efficient and energy-saving products that take advantage of the features of GaN in many fields such as power supply-related products, industrial equipment and in-vehicle equipment.

In the future, we would like to strengthen development and build a mass production system to grow as a new pillar of our business.

And in the further future, we will make it a major pillar of our efforts for “sustainable management” and both promote business growth and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.

*1
GaN (gallium nitride), FET (Field Effect Transistor)

Aero Shield

Aero Shield

In collaboration with Japan Textile Products Quality and Technology Center, Aero Shield Co., Ltd. has confirmed that more than 99% of the new coronavirus (Delta strain) floating in an enclosed space of 1 m3 can be inactivated in one minute using “n-UV Technology,” the industry’s first horizontal ultraviolet irradiation technology.

This technology, which is owned by Aero Shield Co., Ltd., inactivates viruses and bacteria by horizontally irradiating ultraviolet rays in a habitable space.

Fujitsu General Group will continue to focus on research and development in the field of cleanliness and sterilization and contribute to air environment measures around the world.


Development of “Aero Shield” for use in ambulances

Development of “Aero Shield” for use in ambulances

Aeroshield Co., Ltd. has developed "Aero Shield," a UV irradiation device for use in ambulances.

This product is expected to reduce airborne bacteria and viruses by taking the air inside the ambulance into the device and irradiating it with UV-C*1. In addition to realizing odorless air quality measures through the use of ozone-less lamps, the product is designed to place no burden on paramedics, as it operates constantly while power is supplied to the vehicle, eliminating the need for manual operation.

(shipments started in February 2022)

*1
Ultraviolet rays are light with shorter wavelengths than visible light, especially those in the 100–400 nm wavelength range. They are classified into three types by wavelength: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. UV-C, also called deep ultraviolet rays, refers to light with a wavelength of 100 to 280 nm.

Wearable air conditioner Cómodo gear i3

Wearable cooling and heating device Cómodo gearTM i2*1

Fujitsu General has offered the Cómodo gear i3 since 2023. With improved cooling performance as a wearable air conditioner, the new model contributes significantly to safety and working ability under extreme heat conditions*.

Cómodo gear‘s cooling unit, worn around the neck, cools the blood flowing through the carotid artery with a water-cooling system, providing superior comfort under high temperatures.

Cooling the neck area close to the brain, vulnerable to damage from high temperatures, is also medically considered an effective measure against elevated body temperatures. Users have commented that it cools well even in extremely hot weather, and that their heads feel refreshed after using it.

*
This is not a medical device intended to prevent heat stroke.

Developing new technology for disaster-prevention radio broadcasts that are easy to hear even in heavy rain and noise

Developing new technology for disaster-prevention radio broadcasts that are easy to hear even in heavy rain and noise

In May 2022, Fujitsu General, in collaboration with Kobe University, developed “Sound Improvement Algorithm For Outdoor Loudspeaker Stations” (hereinafter referred to as “SIAFOLS”), a technology that automatically converts the broadcast sound of Municipal Disaster Prevention Radio into an easy-to-hear format according to seasonal and weather conditions such as heavy rain and noise conditions.

The transmission characteristics of sound vary depending on the season, weather, and surrounding environment. Municipal Disaster Prevention Radio provided by local governments across Japan was faced with a problem that, although the broadcasting sound was heard, the actual details of what was being said could not be recognized. SIAFOLS is a new technology*1 that converts generally inaudible sounds (k, s, ts, etc.) into easily audible sounds by applying an "emphasis algorithm" to them.

*1
Patent pending. A technology that automatically converts broadcast sounds into easy-to-hear words according to seasonal and weather conditions.

Support for Human Resource Shortage and Work-life Balance

Support for Human Resource Shortage and Work-life Balance

Fujitsu General OS Technology Limited is working to help solve the current shortage of human resources in Japan while taking into account the need for achieving a work-life balance in the food service industry.

The company also provides hospital smart outpatient information systems to help improve patient service.

Business Support BPO*1 Service

After streamlining and standardizing non-core operations (that do not produce profits directly) throughout the customer’s business, we create a standard manual that allows our staff to carry out these operations on behalf of the customers. Customers are able to shift their in-house human resources to focus on corporate growth or core business without worrying about securing human resources for non-core business.

Hospital Smart Outpatient Information System

In conjunction with a smartphone app, we provide mobile services that are more accessible to patients visiting hospital. Before the introduction of this service, patients had to stand-by in the waiting room of a hospital until their consultation. However, with the introduction of this service, patients will be notified by app when it is time to see the doctor, allowing them to see the doctor smoothly without having to stand-by in the waiting room. It also helps to reduce congestion in the waiting room.

*1
A service that uses the system to outsource the very work customers used to do.

*
The numbers next to the title correspond to the SDG numbers to which we believe our activities can contribute.