Hiroshima Eichi Gakuen High School and Yamagata Higashi High School Achieve Success at Made to Move Communities™ Asia-Pacific Presentation Contest

Japan Otis Elevator Company (Representative Director and President Patrick Yong, Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter "Japan Otis") announced that a team from Hiroshima Eichi Gakuen High School (Osakikamijima-cho, Toyoda-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture) won first place at the Asia-Pacific regional competition of the "Made to Move Communities™" presentation contest for high school students, organized by Otis Worldwide Corporation. Made to Move Communities is a contest where high school students leverage their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) knowledge to devise solutions for mobility challenges. Japan Otis is the Japanese subsidiary of Otis Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: OTIS), a global leading company that consistently handles the manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and modernization of elevators and escalators.

This year, 18 high school teams (131 students in total) from 16 schools across Japan applied. After a rigorous selection process by Japan Otis judges, Hiroshima Eichi Gakuen High School and Yamagata Higashi High School (Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture) were selected to represent Japan at the Asia-Pacific regional competition.

Participating high school teams tackled the challenge of "devising innovative mobility solutions to support communities during natural disasters," receiving advice from Otis employees who volunteered as mentors for several months. Finally, they presented their solutions in English to the Asia-Pacific judges.

The team from Hiroshima Eichi Gakuen High School, located in Osakikamijima-cho, an island in the Seto Inland Sea, proposed a new evacuation support system utilizing AI-powered drones, addressing evacuation challenges due to aging populations and geographical constraints during disasters. This idea was highly praised by the judges, securing them first place in the Asia-Pacific regional competition. Hiroshima Eichi Gakuen High School will be awarded a grant of $20,000 (approximately 3 million yen) to promote its school's STEM education program.

Furthermore, the team from Yamagata Higashi High School, focusing on regional challenges in Yamagata Prefecture with its aging population, devised an innovative solution using AI and AR-equipped smart glasses to enable the elderly to evacuate safely via optimal routes during disasters, earning them second place. Yamagata Higashi High School will be awarded a grant of $15,000 (approximately 2.3 million yen).

Patrick Yong, President of Japan Otis, commented, "I was deeply impressed by the students' presentation skills and creative ideas. I hope that Made to Move Communities will serve as an opportunity for them to continue challenging themselves in STEM fields and grow into international leaders who will carve out the future."

**Yamagata Higashi High School Team**

**What is the goal of the Made to Move Communities program?**

The goal of the Made to Move Communities program is to foster next-generation talent by enhancing STEM and leadership skills, with students, teachers, and Otis employee mentors working together. This prepares for securing the future workforce and promotes continuous innovation.

**How has the Made to Move Communities program impacted communities?**

Since 2020, over 1,000 Otis employees have served as mentors for Made to Move Communities, guiding over 1,250 students. Additionally, grants totaling over $1.5 million have been awarded to approximately 150 schools to continuously support their STEM education.

**Why did this Made to Move Communities focus on natural disasters?**

Each year, Otis sets themes based on global trends where its business know-how can make a meaningful contribution, such as aging societies, accessibility, and emerging technologies. Over the past half-century, the frequency of natural disasters has increased at least fivefold, and their scale and severity have also grown. Natural disasters can create or exacerbate new mobility challenges, vulnerabilities, and needs for affected communities and emergency responders.

For more information about the Made to Move Communities program, please visit www.otis.com/mtmc.

**About Otis**

Otis provides the freedom for people to connect and thrive in a world that is higher, faster, and smarter. Otis is a global leader in the manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and modernization of elevators and escalators.

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