Smart Elevators - Six Major Trends for 2019

Category:
Industry Trends

Smart ElevatorSmart Elevator technology is on the rise! Over 12 million elevators are in operation around the globe, which move over a billion people each day.  This makes elevators the most frequently used mode of transport in the world – well ahead of cars, planes, or any other mode of transport.  Nowadays, elevators in a connected smart building are equipped with smart elevator that incorporate advanced technologies that offer facilities with increased security, improved energy efficiency, and effective crowd management.

In the past few years, we have witnessed many developments that will surely shape the future of smart elevator system market. Artificial intelligence, connected systems, and smart city initiatives—along with its promise to spark a creative revolution in elevator system—will lead to more out-of-the-box technological innovation.

Smart Elevator Trends for 2019

1. Connectivity: 

An increase in connectivity is the future of elevators.  Internet-connected smart elevators are increasingly becoming commonplace.  Suppliers of elevators have already started installing them in smart buildings.  This technology works by alerting companies on faults when they appear or are about to develop, enabling lift operators to save money and time on repairs. 

2. Cloud Predictive Maintenance:

Collected data is sent to the Cloud and analyzed.  If operational anomalies are detected, then the information is compared with all available legacy data from the entire elevator database of the supplier.  Then a comparison is made to determine whether similar readings have indicated that a component is about to fail.  This all takes place in a matter of seconds, and service engineers receive messages on their smart devices in real time indicating which components need to be replaced.  Engineers can then effectively address and rectify the issue before the elevators breaks down, thereby reducing down time.Continuously monitors and analyzes all elevator's data such as following:

  • What is the status of all its embedded components?
  • How quickly elevator is accelerating?
  • How quickly door is closing?

3. Interactive Touch Panels:

Manufacturers now include interactive touch panels in elevators to provide passengers entertainment, cab indicator functionality, system monitoring, and emergency call technology all as a measure to increase commuters’ comfort.

4. Cable-Free Smart Elevators:

With the help of cross-industry innovation, elevator suppliers have developed cable-free elevators that can move both vertically and horizontally.  These elevators are typically made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic and are powered by linear motors that can move cabs up and down, forward and backward, and left or right on magnetic rails.  Cable-free elevators are energy efficient and reduce carbon footprint impacts dramatically. 

5. Intuitive Elevator Technologies:  

Elevator manufacturers have developed intuitive elevator technologies for increasing the overall commuter experience.  Intuitive elevator technologies include smart grouping and destination-based models with modern aesthetics.  Smart grouping technology organizes commuters by grouping them based on their floor/zone preferences; for example, passengers going to the same destination are assigned only to those elevators that serve that group of floors or zones.  This results in much faster and much better organized service, i.e., in a 50-floor building, this smart grouping can reduce overall traveling time by 40 percent, when compared with conventional systems.  It can also reduce energy consumption by up to 27 percent.

6. Automated Vehicle Storage and Retrieval Technology:

This uses elevators and other related systems to transport vehicles using robotic lifting systems.  This is an untapped market which is not dominated by most of major suppliers.  These facilities require advanced and connected elevators to run facility efficiently and effectively.  The technology offers maximized parking capacity by optimum utilization of space, ensures vehicle safety, and provides convenience to customers.  These parking systems are used for both renovation and new construction projects.  Automated parking technologies are environmentally friendly because car engines are shut off when cars are stored or retrieved in this parking system; in addition, even search time for parking spaces is eliminated because of robotic system that doesn’t involve any human interaction.  This automated parking technology is apt for densely populated areas, including business parks, railway stations, subway stations, office buildings, trade centers, hotels, and others.

Final Thoughts

Take the first part of the new year to reflect on what worked for your business in 2018, what didn’t work, and what you can do to make 2019 a better year.  Get ready to make some changes and grow your business by learning how to create elevator more engaging, efficient and effective.  Many of your competitors are already doing it.  Don’t get left behind.

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