Hitachi Unveils AI-Driven Virtual Assistant to Revolutionize Facility Management

Bridging the Skills Gap in Facility Operations Through AI and the Metaverse

As industries face mounting pressure from labor shortages and generational shifts in expertise, Hitachi is taking a bold leap toward the future of facility management. On July 3rd, Hitachi Ltd. announced the development of a new interactive AI system designed specifically to support operational staff in managing complex facilities. By combining AI with a simulated environment in the metaverse, the company aims to lower barriers for inexperienced workers while streamlining the transfer of specialized knowledge from veterans to newcomers. This technology has the potential to reshape how industries approach training, maintenance, and efficiency.

the Original

Hitachi has introduced a new AI-powered support system, dubbed “Naivy,” developed in collaboration with its subsidiary Hitachi Plant Services. This system leverages AI within a metaverse-style virtual environment to assist facility workers, particularly those lacking extensive experience. Workers can use tablets to interact with the AI, asking questions about operational procedures. The AI responds with visual and step-by-step instructions within the digital environment, drawing from a database of previously collected operational data.

This approach is aimed at alleviating the current shortage of experienced personnel in industrial facilities such as factories and power plants. Hitachi tested the system at a Renesas Electronics factory, where they observed a 30% improvement in productivity among inexperienced staff. Furthermore, workers reported reduced psychological stress when performing tasks, suggesting that intuitive AI guidance could ease the burden traditionally associated with technical learning curves.

Hitachi also plans to commercialize part of the system through its Hitachi Solutions subsidiary by the end of 2025, responding to growing demand for efficient skills transfer and labor optimization. The launch aligns with a broader wave of interest in generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney, which are sparking debates around global regulations and copyright frameworks.

What Undercode Say:

The launch of Hitachi’s “Naivy” system is more than just a product release — it reflects a pivotal evolution in how industrial operations are adapting to AI and immersive technologies. One of the most immediate concerns in factory and plant environments today is the loss of seasoned workers due to retirement, coupled with a lack of young workers interested or trained in these fields. Naivy provides an elegant workaround: it embeds experience into a machine-learning system that can be accessed by anyone, anytime.

By placing workers into a virtual space that mirrors real-world operations, Hitachi is enabling experiential learning without the risks associated with live environments. That’s a significant advancement in safety training and procedural education. Additionally, by making the AI interactable via simple interfaces like tablets, it lowers the technical barrier to entry — no VR headsets or complex gear needed.

Another notable aspect is the system’s impact on mental strain. The reduction in psychological stress isn’t just about convenience; it speaks to worker retention and long-term performance. Facility workers often face anxiety due to uncertainty or fear of making costly errors. With AI offering guided support, workers can act with more confidence — a subtle but powerful shift in workforce dynamics.

The commercial potential is also worth analyzing. If Naivy proves effective across multiple industries, it could signal a new revenue stream for Hitachi while also setting a precedent for how digital twins and AI can integrate into manufacturing and infrastructure. It could serve everything from maintenance in nuclear plants to repair guidance in data centers.

Lastly, this development aligns with Japan’s broader national agenda, which is actively pushing for digital transformation (DX) across industries. Hitachi’s move is therefore strategic not only technologically but also politically and economically.

While Naivy is a proprietary system, it indirectly validates the utility of AI models like ChatGPT in corporate workflows. It shows how domain-specific training, when integrated into immersive environments, can offer highly contextual assistance — something that generalized models can’t always provide out of the box.

As the regulatory landscape around AI continues to mature, systems like Naivy will likely face scrutiny, particularly around data usage, liability, and transparency. However, Hitachi’s early investment in this domain gives it a first-mover advantage — and in a rapidly aging society like Japan, that edge could prove vital.

🔍 Fact Checker Results:

✅ Verified: Naivy was co-developed by Hitachi Plant Services and tested at a Renesas Electronics plant.
✅ Verified: Efficiency improvements of \~30% were observed in non-expert users.
✅ Verified: Commercial release planned via Hitachi Solutions in 2025.

📊 Prediction:

Expect Naivy or similar AI-metaverse hybrids to become a blueprint for global industry standards in training and operations by 2026. Companies facing workforce transitions, such as in energy, transportation, and manufacturing, will likely adopt this model to preserve institutional knowledge and ensure productivity doesn’t suffer. Additionally, Japan’s success with Naivy may inspire similar tech deployments in aging economies across Europe and East Asia.