As urbanization continues to grow at a rapid pace around the globe, the demand for vertical transportation has been proliferating in skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. The past few years have seen a steady evolution in elevator and escalator technologies with the integration of innovative AI technology and cloud services. Some of the recent advancements and innovations in the vertical transportation sector includes the introduction of smart elevators, rope-less elevator-MULTI, AI, and Internet of Things, extended reality technology, among others. These advancements in technology have made vertical transportation smarter and more accessible. Besides, digitalization has opened new horizons for elevator and escalator manufacturers, prompting them to rethink their offerings and introduce faster, safer, and more entertaining—next gen elevator tech.
Smart Elevators: The Next Big Trend
The ever-evolving technological landscape has led to consumers demanding newer and innovative features from lift systems. Modern lifts require to be space-saving, energy-efficient, sustainable, time-efficient, low-maintenance, cost-friendly, safe, and durable. Smart elevators have provided a new wave of advancement in vertical transportation, allowing better monitoring performance, enabling real-time maintenance decisions, etc. remotely. Smart elevators are outfitted with cutting-edge technology and connectivity features that enhance their effectiveness, security, and general performance. These elevators are proving to be more efficient than the traditional ones since they are less time-consuming and more cost-effective. Overall, smart elevators provide several benefits over traditional elevators, including improved efficiency, safety, and maintenance. They are particularly useful in high-rise buildings where elevator traffic can be heavy and waiting times can be long. Here are some of the smart elevator trends for 2023.
Interactive Panels within Elevator Cabs
Interactive panels within elevator cabs include touch screens, displays, and other interactive technologies that enhance the experience of passengers in the elevator. These panels can be used for a variety of purposes, such as providing information, entertainment, or even improving safety. Information displays can be used to display information about the building, such as floor plans, directions, and upcoming events. They can also provide information about the elevator itself, such as its current location, speed, and capacity. Some interactive panels are equipped with entertainment systems, such as music or video players, to provide a more enjoyable experience for passengers during their commute. Interactive panels can also be used for advertising purposes, displaying advertisements for products or services that may be of interest to passengers. Interactive panels can be used to provide safety features such as emergency call buttons, fire alarms, or even access to building security systems. These panels can also be customized to meet the specific needs of a building or its tenants. For example, they could display a personalized welcome message for certain passengers or provide access to building-specific applications or services.
Cloud Predictive Maintenance
Cloud predictive maintenance involves the use of cloud-based technologies and data analysis to monitor and predict maintenance needs in elevators. This technology help to identify potential issues before they become major problems, reduce downtime, and increase the lifespan of the elevator system. ThyssenKrupp, a leading elevator manufacturer, has developed a predictive maintenance system called MAX that uses cloud-based analytics to monitor elevator performance and predict maintenance needs. Otis Elevator has also developed a cloud-based predictive maintenance system called Otis ONE, which uses data from sensors, as well as historical data on elevator performance, to identify trends and predict when maintenance will be required. KONE, another leading elevator manufacturer, has developed a predictive maintenance system called KONE 24/7 Connected Services that uses cloud-based analytics for forecasting maintenance needs.
Cable-free Elevators
Cable-free lifts, also known as ropeless elevators are becoming increasingly popular due to their flexibility in building design and potential for reduced energy consumption. The magnetic levitation technology could revolutionize how elevators move in buildings without cables. Germany’s ThyssenKrupp unveiled the first Multi elevator system that uses super-fast magnetically propelled trains leveraging magnetic levitation technology to move through a vertical shaft. The elevator cars are propelled by linear motors that are installed in the shaft walls. This technology allows for multiple elevator cars to move in a single shaft, increasing capacity and reducing wait times. Elevators can go faster—up to 18 metres per second, or almost twice as fast as conventional lifts—take up less room inside buildings and move horizontally because there are no cables involved. Additionally, since there are no cables, more than one lift cabin can be in the same shaft. Moreover, the Multi system reduces the weight of the cabin by up to 50% and facilitate the motion of smaller shafts more efficiently. Thus, the system could increase the usable area of the building by up to 25% while opening new design and architectural possibilities.
Other elevator manufacturers such as MagneMotion, Mitsubishi Electric, KONE, etc. are venturing into the cable-free lifts and introducing their unique offerings. The Airborne elevator system by MagneMotion uses linear induction motors to propel elevator cars through a shaft. This technology eliminates the need for cables and reduces the energy required to move the elevator cars. The elevator cars are suspended from the ceiling of the shaft, which allows for greater flexibility in building design. ACCEL elevator by Mitsubishi Electric uses a linear motor system to move elevator cars through a shaft. The linear motor produces a magnetic field that propels the lift vehicles, which are suspended from the ceiling by a steel rope. The system’s rapid acceleration and deceleration capabilities reduce wait times and increase efficiency. MULTI Vertical Transport System by KONE uses an ultralight rope and carbon fiber hoisting technology to move elevator cars through a shaft. This technology allows for greater flexibility in building design and reduces the energy required to move the elevator cars.
According to TechSci Research report on “Smart Elevator Market –Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Competition, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028, Segmented By Component (Control Systems, Maintenance Systems, Communication Systems), Installation (Low and Mid-rise, High Rise), Application (Residential, Commercial, Institutional), Service (New Installation Services, Modernization Services and Maintenance Services), By Region”, the global smart elevator market is anticipated to register a significant growth during the forecast period. The market growth can be attributed to the expanding infrastructure in developing nations and rise of smart cities.
Robotization in Elevators and Escalators
Robotization in elevators and escalators includes the use of advanced technologies such as robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence to enhance the functionality, efficiency, and safety of these vertical transportation systems. Here are a few other examples of robotization
in elevators and escalators:
Destination Control Systems
Every modern hotel or commercial building have a lift that knows exactly where you are heading and even point to a certain elevator for your journey. This has been made possible with Destination Control Systems, which uses artificial intelligence to regulate the flow of passengers in elevators. The hugely popular innovation, destination control has disrupted the elevator industry like never before. Destination control lifts use algorithms to group passengers according to their destination floors, increase the speed and efficiency by organizing stops for passengers heading to the same or close floors in a building, which reduces the number of stops and travel time. This technology is being widely used in high-rise buildings since it reduces waiting times and improve the overall experience for passengers.
Contactless Elevator Buttons
The need to improve hygiene in lifts, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, led to the emergence of contactless elevator buttons. These contactless elevator buttons leverage infrared sensor interface, which allow users to call a lift by holding finger from one to three centimetres away from the button panel. Since passengers do not really touch the buttons, the risk of spreading germs, bacteria, and diseases reduces significantly. As AI continues to become more integrated into the hospitality industry, contactless elevators are expected to be more mainstream in the coming years.
The HoverTapTMLift makes use of a novel sensor technology that enables three-dimensional real-time finger position detection. The LCD screen provides the user with immediate response as it is sensitive to the finger's closeness to the interface and registers a floor selection with a mild "press" in the air. There are safeguards in place to stop buttons from being accidentally pressed. Machine-learning algorithms guarantee improved precision and responsiveness, creating a user experience that feels natural and similar to pressing a real button. The average user was considered when creating these features. The HoverTapTM touchless technology may convert any existing systems with typical high-touch surfaces, such as self-service kiosks, ticketing booths, fuel pump stations, and ATMs, into contact-free interfaces.
Automated Maintenance
Sensors employed in escalators can detect problems in the system and automatically notify the maintenance staff, which help prevent any malfunctions or delays in the future. Moreover, predictive maintenance leveraging sensor technology prevents downtime and ensures that the optimal functioning of systems at all times. Since 2018, Schindler has fitted all its lifts with a connected box known as the Ahead Cube, which relays all information pertaining to the lift and allows for the anticipation of malfunctions. The customer now gets a personal online location where they can fully monitor their equipment in real time. They can also get real-time updates for technical events such as intervention and maintenance visits. Additionally, they can use an application to request an intervention and access a fleet performance summary.
To keep lifts and escalators clean and hygienic, robotic cleaning equipment is being employed more and more. These robots make sure that the environment is clean and safe for the passengers by using ultraviolet light and disinfectant sprays to get rid of bacteria and viruses.
Some lift systems now come with intelligent dispatching technology, which makes use of real-time data to optimise lift mobility within a building. In order to better serve passengers' requirements and shorten wait times, the technology allows the lift speed and direction to be automatically adjusted.
In 2022, global lift manufacturer Schindler introduced the world's first self-climbing robotic system to perform lift installation operations on towering structures. Before climbing to position, R.I.S.E (Robotic Installation System for Elevators) is suspended in the lift shaft. Prior to drilling the holes for the anchor bolts for the landing doors, divider beams, and wall brackets, the machine autonomously scans the work area, scans the shaft walls to locate rebar, and then scans the shaft walls again to locate the rebar. The R.I.S.E. operator may monitor the status of the job via a tablet that displays information like the robot's position and the percentage of applications that have been finished, as well as remote viewing capabilities using an on-board camera.
Improvisations in Glass Elevators
Architects and engineers prefer glass elevators over conventional dark elevators as they increase the aesthetics of the building and provide a classically elegant appearance, blending with all types of décors. Advancements in both form and functionality are leading to an increased adoption of glass elevators in both residential and commercial buildings. Technologies such as fingerprint scanners, biometric security tools, or keypad entry are being utilized in glass lifts to further enhance security. Besides, modern glass elevators come with enhanced safety features such as emergency braking systems, fire-resistant glass, and advanced sensors to detect obstacles.
Nowadays, a lot of glass lifts feature smart technology that enables users to operate the lift with their smartphones or other devices. The performance of the lift can be monitored using this technology, which can also be used to spot possible problems before they become serious ones. Glass lifts now have features like regenerative braking, which uses the kinetic energy created by the lift's movement to fuel the lift's motor, in response to the increased emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency. Manufacturers are increasingly providing more customization options, such as coloured glass and lighting options that may be customised to match the style of the building, to keep up with this demand. With advances in elevator technology, glass elevators can now travel at higher speeds and carry more passengers than ever before, which is particularly important in high-traffic areas where efficiency and capacity are crucial.
As a part of a new development named Summit One Vanderbilt, a see-through lift that goes 1200 ft above the new city has been built on one of the NYC’s tallest skyscrapers, One Vanderbilt tower. This is located on the outside of the new midtown building and connected directly to the Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal.
According to TechSci Research report on “Vietnam Elevators & Escalators Market By Type (Elevator, Escalator and Moving Walkways), By Service (Modernization, Maintenance & Repair and New Installation), By Elevator Technology (Traction, Hydraulic, and Machine Room-Less Traction), By Elevator Door Type (Automatic and Manual), By End User (Residential, Commercial, Institutional, Infrastructural and Others), By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2017- 2027”, Vietnam Elevators & Escalators market is expected to grow at a significant pace, owing to the rising number of smart cities and high investment by key players for technological development of elevators and escalators in the region.
Rise of Elevators in the World of Sustainability
In tall buildings around the world, more than seven billion lift trips are made every day. Considering that half the world’s population live in cities, the number expected to jump to 70 percent by the year 2050. Hence, efficient vertical transportation is becoming a pressing challenge. Therefore, developers are designing greener vertical transport that provide safe and sustainable way to transfer people from the ground up into the sky—in addition to building higher structures to keep up with the inflow of urban populations. Newer lifts already contain environmentally friendly elements like LED lights, water soluble paint, and recycled construction components. However, many businesses have started to discover a vast array of alternatives to the conventional rope-and-pulley systems.
Modern lifts have caught on to the trend of energy conservation, which is still quite popular in the building and real estate industries, which has led to the emergence of green elevators. The building materials, control panels, flooring, interior colors, and HVAC systems are all taken into consideration when designing green elevators, in addition to the reduced energy usage.
Here are some of the components of green lifts.
Regenerative Drives in Elevators
One of the most significant advancements in this new generation of lift technology is unquestionably regenerative drives. This technique makes lifts extremely energy-efficient, reducing energy consumption by up to 70%. Most of the time, the system uses significantly more power than typical when lifts travel up with a light load and then come down with a big load. Traditional lifts lose this power as heat, which results in significant energy loss over the course of the lifts' lifetimes. The situation is different with lifts with regenerative drives, though. While the lift is operating, these motors collect the heat produced and transform it into usable energy. The system receives this energy transfer and not wasted as heat.
Regenerative drives have the potential to recover and feed back energy into the electricity grid for reusing the energy for power requirements. This helps save substantial amount of energy when compared to other traditional braking methods.
Machine Room-Less (MRL) technology
Due to the buried hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic lifts have come under increased attention in terms of environmental problems over time. The MRL lift does away with the expense and environmental issues related to a hydraulic cylinder buried underneath and filled with hydraulic oil. In comparison to hydraulic lifts, the MRL lift offers better performance and ride quality because it uses a gearless traction type motor. MRLs have a higher perceived level of quality than a traditional hydraulic lift since they can function at faster speeds. The Machine Room-Less Elevators are designed to save significant amount of energy (around 30-40%).
The MRL lift products did not, until very recently, provide an economic benefit over conventional lift devices. With the aid of newly created permanent magnet motors (PMM), manufacturers are now able to place their equipment overhead in the hoistway, eliminating the requirement for a machine room above the hoistway. For low to low-midrise buildings, this design has been used for at least 15 years outside of the United States and is now considered the industry standard. There are some MRL lifts on the market right now that are priced similarly to a conventional geared traction lift but more affordably. Some manufacturers have attempted to compete with the low-rise hydraulic lift by introducing a product that is cost-effective. KONE was the one who initially released it on the American market. Due to the product's early limited applications, inability to comply with U.S. code requirements, and the dearth of manufacturers supplying an identical product, product acceptance was initially slow in the U.S. market. However, in the recent years, elevator manufacturers have overcome the challenges that limited the adoption of MRL elevators and now the product offerings expand to many popular elevator sizes and speeds.
Double-deck Elevators
A double-deck elevator is a lift with two stacked cabs, one on top of another within a single frame. This considerably increases the number of people who can use a lift shaft at once by enabling usage of the lift by people on two successive floors. Such a plan can increase efficiency in buildings where a single-deck lift would typically stop at every story due to traffic volume. For instance, one passenger may board the lower deck, which only serves floors with odd numbers, at the basement level, while another may board the upper deck, which only serves floors with even numbers, on the ground floor. The cab that serves floors with even numbers is located above the cab that serves floors with odd numbers. Compared to traditional single-deck elevators, double-deck elevators occupy less building core space, which allows more efficient use of space as the floor area required by elevators is significant. Both the Thyssenkrupp TWIN lift and the Thyssenkrupp MULTI system fit multiple lift cabs into a single shaft and each cab has its own independent linear motor and can move both vertically and horizontally from one shaft to another.
Net-Zero Solar Energy Elevator
A solar-powered lift might be a practical way to conserve energy given the rising popularity of solar energy. A lift system that is net-zero produces at least as much energy as it uses over the course of a year. The Synergy Elevator, a net-zero solar energy elevator prototype, is being developed by German elevator company Thyssen-Krupp. A regenerative drive, LED cab lighting, a more efficient controller with a deep-sleep standby mode, and an auto-power-down feature that turns off the cab lights and fan when the lift is not in use are just a few of the cutting-edge energy-saving features it includes. These improvements can lower the overall standby power draw by 75%. The prototype integrates a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) array to offset the elevator’s energy consumption.
A solar-powered elevator prototype was also unveiled by Schindler Elevator Corp. For up to 100% of the lift's electricity, the Schindler Solar Elevator uses rooftop solar panels and a Hybrid Energy Manager (HEM) to store solar energy in batteries. According to Schindler, the solar lift can run independently of the electrical grid during power outages, avoids power peaks when lifts begin each voyage, and saves energy. Regular Schindler 3,300 gearless machine room-less lifts, which use up to 60% less energy than hydraulic lifts, are used in the new solar lift. The lift system contains controls that automatically switch car lights to standby mode and LED vehicle lights in addition to a frequency converter with an energy-efficient standby power mode.
Technologies for Enhanced Safety in Escalators and Elevators
Escalators are indispensable part of modern infrastructure and omnipresent at public and commercial spaces. However, some events can occur during the escalator operations, which can threaten the life and safety of passengers and workers. Incidents involving elevators and escalators account for the death of 30 and injuries to 17000 people each year, according to statistics by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Here are some of the safety functions being offered in escalators to prevent malfunctions and accidents.
Step Motion Safety Devices
A Step Motion Safety Device is a safety feature commonly found in escalators to enhance passenger safety. It is designed to detect irregular movements or obstructions on the steps and automatically stop the escalator to prevent accidents and injuries. Here are some of the features that come with step motion safety device such as
Skirt Brush System: When the brushes installed on the side of the escalator steps encounter an obstruction or excessive pressure, the skit brush system trigger the safety system to stop the escalator and prevent further movement.
Step Obstruction Sensing System: Located beneath each step of the escalator, the sensors can detect any obstruction on the steps, such as debris or objects, and immediately stop the escalator to prevent accidents.
Comb Fingers: Located at the top and bottom of escalator steps, comb fingers extend into the gap between the steps to preventing passengers from accidentally trapping their shoes or clothing. If an obstruction is detected, the fingers will stop the escalator to avoid further movement.
Handrail Monitoring System: The handrail monitoring system uses sensors to detect if a passenger's hand or fingers become trapped between the handrail and the escalator. If a blockage is detected, the system can halt the escalator and trigger an alarm.
Emergency Stop Buttons: Located at the top and bottom of the escalator, these buttons can be pressed by anyone in case of an emergency. When activated, they immediately stop the escalator, providing an additional safety measure.
Overload Detection Device
In escalators, overload detection devices are crucial for ensuring passenger safety and preventing damage to the escalator system. Here are a few examples of overload detection devices used specifically in escalators:
Current Sensing Device: The escalator motor's electrical current draw is monitored by this instrument. It can determine if the load on the escalator exceeds a set limit by measuring the current. If an overload condition is found, the device sets off an alarm or starts the escalator's automated shutdown to stop further use.
Step Chain Tension Monitoring: Step chains are used in escalators to move the stairs. Using sensors or tensioning tools, an overload detection system can keep an eye on the tension in the step chains. To prevent damage or accidents, the system can sound an alarm or halt the escalator if the tension exceeds a predetermined limit, signalling excessive load.
Step Roller Monitoring: By observing the step rollers' rotation, this device keeps track of the steps' progress. The technology may detect an overload circumstance, such as a lot of people on one step, and respond by stopping the escalator or sounding an alarm if the aberrant roller rotation is detected.
Load Weight Sensors: Load weight sensors are positioned throughout the escalator structure, for example, on the balustrade or under the steps. These sensors track the weight placed on regions and give the control system feedback in real time. The mechanism can sound an alarm or stop the escalator if the weight reaches a certain threshold.
According to TechSci Research report on “Elevator Modernization Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Competition, Opportunity and Forecast, 2017-2027, Segmented By Elevator Type (Traction, Machine Room Less (MRL) Traction, Hydraulic), By Component (Controller, Door Equipment, Cabin Enclosure, Signalling Fixture, Power Unit, Others), By End User (Residential Sector, Institutional Sector, Commercial Sector, Infrastructural Sector), By Modernization Type (Partial, Full), By Region”, the elevator modernization market is expected to project a robust growth in the forecast period. The market growth can be attributed to the rapid digitalization and enhanced efforts towards modernization of infrastructure.
Opportunities for the Escalator and Escalator Market
Rapid industrialization and urbanization have led to the increased consumption of natural resources. The demand for energy is expected to grow by 20-30% in the next 15 years. Growing environmental concerns and enhanced awareness among consumers are leading to a shift towards premium green building materials for elevators and escalators. This has led to the increased need for effective and smart energy utilization. The adoption of smart elevators would reduce dependency and consumption rate. Development of smart cities and increased focus on maintenance and repair of old infrastructure are expected to propel the adoption of green and smart elevators. Besides, rating systems such as Leadership in Energy and Environment design (LEED) and Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) are encouraging engineers, designers, and others to construct low-impact design, which would result in the enhanced adoption of green elevators.
Key players in the elevator and escalator market are making huge investments and seeking collaborating opportunities for expansion. In 2022, Schindler Elevator Corporation, a leading elevator and escalator company in Canada acquired Ascension Elevating Devices to expand its presence in Atlantic Canada. In 2021, another key player KONE acquired the service and repair business of Ross Elevator Inc to strengthen its market position and increase ability to offer innovative smart building solutions to larger customer base. In 2020, Otis acquired Bay State Elevator for expanding its service portfolio and operations in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and upstate New York.
Overall, thanks to ongoing technical improvements, lifts will be able to accommodate the needs of structures with extremely high ceilings. Long into the future, urbanisation will be supported by technological advancements that make it simpler and safer for people to move between buildings. Collaboration between engineers, architects, computer scientists, lift manufacturers, and builders over time may result in solutions that are less expensive but nevertheless enhance efficiency and performance.
According to TechSci Research report on “Elevator & Escalator Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Competition, Opportunity and Forecast, 2017-2027 Segmented By Type (Elevator, Escalator & Moving Walkways), By Service (Maintenance & Repair, New Installation and Modernization), By End User Industry (Residential, Commercial, Institutional, Infrastructural & Others), By Elevator Technology (Traction, Hydraulic & Machine room-Less traction), By Elevator Door Type (Automatic and Manual), By Region”, the global elevator & escalator market is anticipated to grow at a formidable rate. The market growth can be attributed to the increasing development of high-rise buildings and ever-growing cash inflow in real-estate businesses.