If the period from 1956 to the end of the 20th century laid the foundation for the automatic door industry, the 2000s marked the beginning of an entirely new chapter in NABCO automatic door technology innovation. The focus shifted beyond simply enabling doors to open and close automatically toward creating smart entrance solutions that are connected, intelligent, and human-centered. Continuous advancements in control technology, connectivity, safety, and user experience have enabled NABCO automatic doors to be installed in millions of buildings worldwide, further reinforcing the company’s position as one of Japan’s leading automatic door manufacturers.
The era of smart connectivity with CAN technology
One of the most significant milestones in NABCO automatic door technology innovation was the introduction of the NET-DS Series in the early 2000s.
This was the first automatic door operator developed in Japan to incorporate Controller Area Network (CAN) technology. Instead of operating as independent devices, the controller, sensors, and peripheral equipment could communicate through a shared communication network, enabling the entire system to operate more efficiently, consistently, and reliably.
This enhanced connectivity made system monitoring, fault diagnosis, and maintenance faster and more efficient while also providing a solid foundation for seamless integration with access control systems, Building Management Systems (BMS), and other modern automation solutions. Today, this design philosophy continues to be carried forward across many of NABCO’s automatic door operator product lines.
Technology proven in landmark projects
Beyond continuous technological innovation, NABCO has also demonstrated the reliability of its products by being selected for numerous landmark projects around the world.
During this period, NABCO automatic doors were installed at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and the Shanghai World Financial Center, one of the tallest buildings in the world at the time.
Meeting the stringent requirements for durability, operational stability, and continuous performance in facilities with exceptionally high pedestrian traffic clearly demonstrates the success of NABCO automatic door technology innovation.
Putting people at the center of every innovation
Technological innovation is not only about improving operational performance—it is also about making buildings more accessible, convenient, and safer for everyone.
In 2009, NABCO introduced the HDS-4 control switch for accessible multi-purpose restroom doors. The device was designed with an intuitive user interface, making it easy to operate for elderly users, people with disabilities, and wheelchair users.
Thanks to its user-friendly design and practical value, the HDS-4 received the Good Design Award, one of Japan’s most prestigious design awards. This achievement reflects NABCO’s long-standing commitment to a human-centered design philosophy.
From 2 million to 3 million automatic door systems – The result of nearly 70 years of innovation
Continuous technological innovation has helped establish NABCO as one of the world’s most trusted Japanese automatic door brands.
In 2013, NABCO reached the milestone of 2 million automatic door systems manufactured. Just over a decade later, in 2025, that number had grown to 3 million automatic door systems.
This milestone represents more than manufacturing scale it reflects the market’s long-standing trust in NABCO’s automatic door solutions, built over nearly 70 years of continuous innovation and product excellence.
These technologies continue to power today’s NABCO products
The journey of NABCO automatic door technology innovation did not end with these milestones. Instead, these technological foundations continue to evolve and are incorporated into today’s product portfolio.
For automatic sliding doors, NABCO integrates technologies such as brushless DC motors, microprocessor-based controllers, and CAN communication systems to deliver stable operation, improved energy efficiency, and exceptional durability under intensive use. As a result, these systems can operate continuously in high-traffic facilities such as airports, railway stations, shopping malls, hospitals, high-rise residential buildings, and office complexes while maintaining outstanding safety and long-term reliability.
These same technologies have also been applied to automatic swing doors and automatic hospital doors. Representative products include the GT-8300, designed for heavy-duty automatic swing doors, and the GT-8400, developed specifically for healthcare environments where operational stability and safety are critical.
Although each product is optimized for its intended application, they all inherit NABCO’s core values: smooth operation, long-term durability, enhanced safety, and seamless integration with access control systems, fire alarm systems, and Building Management Systems (BMS).
These continuous advancements demonstrate that NABCO’s philosophy of innovation extends beyond developing new technologies. The company is equally committed to continuously improving performance, reliability, and user experience across every generation of automatic door operators, reinforcing its position in millions of buildings worldwide.
Sonha Auto brings NABCO technology to Vietnam
The achievements of NABCO automatic door technology innovation are not limited to landmark projects around the world. Through Sonha Auto, these advanced technologies have also been successfully deployed across numerous key projects throughout Vietnam.
As an official NABCO partner for more than 20 years, Sonha Auto has partnered with the brand since its early years because of the values NABCO consistently upholds: advanced technology, Japanese quality standards, reliable performance, and a human-centered design philosophy.
Beyond supplying genuine Japanese NABCO automatic door solutions, Sonha Auto also provides professional consultation, system design, installation, and maintenance in accordance with NABCO standards. This enables project owners to maximize the performance of advanced technologies incorporated into products such as the GT-8300, GT-8400, and NABCO’s automatic sliding door systems.
After more than two decades of partnership, these technologies have contributed to the creation of hundreds of modern, safe, and reliable projects across Vietnam.
>>> See more: The evolution journey of NABCO automatic door technology from 1956 to 1 million automatic doors
Conclusion
NABCO automatic door technology innovation is reflected not only in milestones such as the introduction of the CAN communication system, the HDS-4 control switch, and the achievement of 3 million automatic door systems manufactured, but also in the company’s unwavering commitment to a human-centered development philosophy over nearly 70 years. These pioneering technologies continue to be incorporated into today’s products, including the GT-8300, GT-8400, and many other NABCO automatic door solutions, delivering safer, smarter, and more sustainable entrance systems for modern buildings around the world.
