Hitachi to sell escalator cameras

Hitachi Building Systems Co. said Thursday it will start selling a security camera system used exclusively for escalators on Aug. 18.

Hitachi Building, a unit of Hitachi Ltd. , will become the first Japanese firm to launch the specialized system.

The security cameras can help escalator operators and security staff know what is happening when an accident occurs.

The cameras can record for periods of up to five days. The new system will also help reduce dangerous behavior onboard.

The company aims to sell 1,000 units per year, mainly to commercial facilities, on expectations that demand is strong at a time when the number of escalator-related accidents is increasing in Japan.

Ten people were slightly injured after an escalator at a Tokyo convention center jerked to an abrupt halt last weekend.