Hitachi Rail has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Clever Devices, a U.S.-based provider of Intelligent Transportation Systems for transit agencies around the world.
Clever Devices, which has its headquarters in Woodbury, New York, is renowned for its advanced technology solutions around fleet management, passenger experience and operational efficiency for mass transit agencies. The company has offices in the United States, Europe, and South America.
Hitachi Rail said that the proposed acquisition of a company with deep digital expertise and expected 2026 revenues of over $220 million marked a significant step in its plan to operate as a leading global digital mobility player. The business added that upon completion, it would extend its footprint from rail to multimodal mobility, as well as strengthening its presence in North America.
Clever Devices has over 600 employees and a customer base that includes eight of the 10 largest North American transit agencies. Hitachi Rail called its Intelligent Transport System (ITS) solutions a critical enabler to growing public transport usage, making it more attractive and efficient by improving accuracy of information and boosting service punctuality. Its solutions are deployed across public mobility, including busses as well as railway systems. Alongside its strength in North America, Clever Devices has achieved substantial growth in countries such as Brazil and Chile, as well as in Europe in markets including Italy.
Hitachi Rail said that Clever Devices’ portfolio of onboard and centralised data solutions would complement its own HMAX Mobility suite, bringing added functionality and benefits for customers across public transport around the world.
HMAX Mobility is Hitachi Rail’s digital asset management platform, designed to optimise the performance of railways around the world. It connects data from fleets of trains, wayside signalling assets, and track infrastructure to create an operational twin of railways. It brings together advanced sensor technology, deep rail expertise and the latest in AI and edge computing to maximize rail performance, extend asset life and optimize costs.
Hitachi Rail said the acquisition would enable it to offer enhanced solutions that support the digital transformation of public transport beyond railways, optimise energy management and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
It added that in the Smart Mobility space, combining Clever Devices’ fleet management technology with Hitachi Rail’s Operation Control Centres would enable real time multimodal solutions for urban public transport systems.
Giuseppe Marino, Group CEO, Hitachi Rail, said: “This investment is an important milestone in our strategy to accelerate the digital transformation of public mobility. Clever Devices’ proven expertise in intelligent transportation systems, combined with our global scale and our HMAX Mobility platform, will allow us to offer our customers a suite of data‑driven mobility solutions that optimize transport infrastructure and services. Together, we will expand our capabilities beyond rail and deepen our presence in North America, supporting cities as they transition to more innovative and efficient transport networks.”
Hitachi Rail’s growing footprint in the North American market has been underlined by the recent $110m opening of its digital lighthouse factory in Hagerstown, Maryland, and a $30m investment in a new Canadian HQ.
Hitachi Rail collaborated with SSIB, Hitachi’s Strategic Social Innovation Business Unit, on this agreement, to jointly advance the One Hitachi initiative and explore broader opportunities in the mobility sector. As a Hitachi Group company, Hitachi Rail’s technology also benefits from the digital expertise and capabilities of other group companies, including Hitachi Digital, GlobalLogic, Hitachi Digital Services.
The transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions and is expected to close later in the year following the receipt of regulatory approvals. Hitachi Rail is being advised by J.P. Morgan and Ropes & Gray LLP in this transaction.
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