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Hitachi Asia and Data Storage Institute collaborate on joint R&D projects (PDF Type, 30 kByte)

August 15, 2005

Hitachi Asia and Data Storage Institute collaborate on joint R&D projects

Collaboration Strengthens Development of Cutting Edge Hard Disk Drive Innovations

Hitachi Asia (Hitachi) and Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s (A*STAR) Data Storage Institute (DSI) announced today its collaboration on joint research and development (R&D) projects on hard disk drive innovations.

Under the master R&D agreement, which serves as a framework for all collaborative projects between Hitachi and DSI in the next three years, three project collaborations on developing cutting edge hard disk drive-related technologies will kick off in the first year at the new Hitachi Storage Mechanics Laboratory in Singapore.

“DSI is pleased to have Hitachi setting up its very first commercial R&D lab in Singapore. This partnership, together with our research infrastructure and expertise in hard disk drive-related technologies, will foster mutual learning and create cutting edge technologies for future hard disk drive applications to achieve greater performances and low-cost production,” said Prof Chong Tow Chong, Executive Director (ED) of DSI, who is also the ED for the Science and Engineering Research Council.

The establishment of Hitachi Storage Mechanics Laboratory demonstrates DSI’s capacity to provide an ideal platform for companies to “jump-start” their local R&D engagements as well as to foster a closer and more focused interaction with the Institute via a broader collaborative space for scientists and engineers.

“The close collaboration is the result of Hitachi’s continuing partnership with DSI to develop the storage research business. It is part of our intensive efforts to develop breakthrough features and viable solutions for next generation hard disk drive related technologies. The combined strengths of Hitachi’s continuing leadership in hard disk drive expertise and DSI’s R&D human capital and infrastructure will benefit consumers as well as enterprise customers,” said Dr Shinobu Yoshida, Associate Director & General Manager, Hitachi Asia Ltd.

Besides infrastructure and state-of-the-art equipment, DSI will also bring to the partnership its research expertise in fly-height testing and measurement, servo and mechatronics as well as head disk interface (HDI) capabilities.

In the following months, Hitachi Asia and DSI researchers will be working on mechanical technologies to increase capacity with high reliability. These include developing measurement systems, testing and simulation of the HDI as well as Servo Mechanics. The projects will explore cost competitive solutions to enhance Hitachi’s expanding demand in hard disk drives.

The joint effort also marks Hitachi’s future plans to establish a greater R&D presence in Asia to develop advanced technologies beyond hard disk drives.

About Hitachi Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is focused on its Social Innovation Business that combines information technology (IT), operational technology (OT) and products. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2019 (ended March 31, 2020) totaled 8,767.2 billion yen ($80.4 billion), and it employed approximately 301,000 people worldwide. Hitachi drives digital innovation across five sectors – Mobility, Smart Life, Industry, Energy and IT – through Lumada, Hitachi’s advanced digital solutions, services, and technologies for turning data into insights to drive digital innovation. Its purpose is to deliver solutions that increase social, environmental and economic value for its customers. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at www.hitachi.com.