Demand for smart elevators on an upswing

High speed, special ride comfort and safety, among other essentials, are key for devising smart elevators.

In metropolitan cities, buildings continue to grow taller, making it challenging to design and install elevators. With increasing heights of buildings, elevator speed is of the essence to reduce waiting time outside elevators of high-rise buildings and these calls for a pre-emptive planning while designing the buildings. In the near future, with the focus on initiatives like ‘housing for all’ and development of smart cities there is a need for taller buildings with even more efficient and innovative mobility solutions. India is a growing market with a booming demand for infrastructure and related services. A growing number of high-rise buildings which is driving an increased demand for high speed and energy efficient elevators.

Schindler’s Digital Plan and Design tool
Schindler’s advanced Digital Plan and Design tool adds value on this front, by helping architects and customers alike to plan for the optimum elevator configuration while designing their buildings. Vaibhav Pitale, Sr. Vice President – New Installation Business, Schindler India Pvt Ltd says, “Digital Plan and Design tool helps not only in planning, but this dynamic tool also enables architects to create elevator layouts, elevator traffic study and tender documents in customised manner for their projects.” Moreover, the tool will help architects and designers in all kinds of facilities planning based on its type and usage, be it residential, commercial, hotels, hospitals etc.

Safety, energy efficiency in focus
Over the past couple of years, skyline of cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore are dotted with high-rise projects all across, which amplifies the need for elevators. What is more important now is how efficiently they operate, both in terms of traffic handling capability and energy efficiency. One needs to look at optimising both of these aspects with better technology.

Bharat Vishnani, Managing Director, thyssenkrupp Elevator (India) Pvt Ltd says, “Safety and energy efficiency have taken centre stage and there is a growing demand for high-speed, high-capacity elevators that can carry many passengers at once, safely and comfortably, particularly in high-rise office buildings, commercial complexes and other large-scale facilities.”

Urbanisation has been the key factor in the rising demand for high-rise buildings which are growing taller, to offset the availability of land. As cities continue to expand, the need for housing and commercial space grows. This spurs growth of the elevator industry which is expected to grow further.

Otis introduced the SkyBuild elevator, an internal construction elevator for high-rise projects. The unique technology enables the SkyBuild elevator to climb one floor at a time as the building rises. Each jump can be accomplished between shifts, reducing the impact on other trades.

According to Sebi Joseph, President, Otis India another trend that is taking place in the industry is the focus and attention on aesthetics. The modern Indian customer is now paying more attention than ever to elevators. Apart from the focus on energy savings, technology, safety and other critical features, the customer is now looking to create an interesting and engaging space within an elevator. They are looking for softer edges, etchings, patterns, unusual colours, materials and textures.

IoT brings smart elevators
IoT will play a significant role in bringing smart elevators to Indian market.

“Smart elevators are equipped with smart access control, advanced and sophisticated security systems and superior elevator hardware and software technologies. Also, because of the nature of high-rise buildings, smart elevators will aid in better monitoring and maintenance requirements of buildings,” says Amit Gossain, Managing Director, KONE Elevators India Pvt Ltd.

Real-time communication devices or software ensures that customers reap the benefits of faster and more efficient services, especially in high-rises. For instance, KONE Field Mobility (KFM) App serves as a boon for the service personnel. It is a digital solution loaded on an android device that saves precious time, increases transparency and enables peace of mind to customers and end-users. It offers real-time back reporting, centralised connectivity, pro-active customer communication, efficient allocation of field staff to ensure on-time service, digital documentation and reporting and inbuilt safety locater.

Adding aesthetic appeal
Schindler 5500 and 7000 elevators
The Schindler elevators are designed to provide innovative solutions for the mobility requirements of tomorrow’s urban life. Architecture-based system on suspension traction media (STM) technology; the elevators use less space and provide passengers with an exceptionally quiet ride. With scalable car sizes, the elevators can be easily adapted to fit shaft dimensions. The Schindler 5500 offers both a machine room-less (MRL) and a mini-machine room (MMR) configuration, with the ability to install the controller on distinct levels. Additional features like enhanced space utilisation and minimised building interfaces are options to increase rentable space and lower building costs. Schindler elevators have been designed to make the elevator ride an experience. Schindler 5500 and 7000 elevators come in a wide range of premium car decor finishes, a plethora of customisable buttons to choose from including car control panels, landing operating panels, ceiling and floor designs.

Pitale says, “With use of gearless machines, our products consume up to 30 per cent lesser energy compared to conventional systems. Technologies such as Standby mode when not in use, STM belts, etc also bring about significant savings in power consumption as well as space. Our products are almost 100 per cent recyclable and free from harmful substances. “

Classiness in high-rise
“Elevators designed with unique premium designs, noble materials, fixtures with ergonomic interface and great features can infuse profound and classy elegance into the high-rise buildings,” says Vishnani.

Selecting aesthetic from various ranges
“As is the case with any elevators including high rise elevators, one can select from the range of ceilings, car panel finishes, floorings, car operating panel, hall lanterns etc,” says Joseph.

Elevator accessories
Today, elevators are aesthetically designed to suit the interiors of the building. Various options in terms of finishes can be blended in the elevator car. Other features like lighting and elevator accessories usually enhance the ambience and comfort in the elevator car, says Gossain. He adds, “Buildings get taller, there is a need for ultra-high speed elevators and efficient people flow solutions.”

Latest innovations
PORT destination-dispatch system reduces the number of intermediate stops thereby improving the elevator system efficiency and energy saving. PORT technology eliminates crowding during heavy traffic, avoids passenger competition for the first available car and reduces journey times of up to 40 per cent.

Pitale from Schindler says, “Schindler’s unique Destination Interface modernisation process allows us to bring virtually any brand of equipment to the PORT technology quickly and economically.” The process can quickly and easily convert conventional controls to the PORT technology destination dispatch.

Vishnani from thyssenkrupp says, “Fast and energy efficient, TWIN elevator system comes equipped with intelligent traffic control systems, which optimise traffic automatically and reduce empty runs. The system has two cabs running independently in the same shaft, each with its own counterweight, safety and drive equipment. With reduced shaft core space and construction costs, the system offers the most flexible elevator solution with an eco-conscious heart.”

thyssenkrupp Double-Deck elevator system has been designed to meet the shuttle operation needs in high-rise buildings. Designating Double-Deck elevators to conduct high speed transport for a high volume of passengers at pre-defined stops or transfer points optimises traffic flow.

HP61 elevator, with high speed and small machine room, is suitable for managing high traffic flows in high-end office buildings and hotels. The Destination Selection Control (DSC) in the elevator offers faster ride at the least possible time with minimum internment stops, less crowding in the elevator lobby and greater flexibility in layout designs.

thyssenkrupp’s MULTI allows several cabins in the same shaft to move vertically and horizontally which makes it an ideal transport solution for mid-and high-rise buildings. MULTI requires no cables and uses a multi-level brake system and inductive power transfers between shaft and cabin. This allows the elevator to occupy smaller shafts than conventional elevators, which can increase a building’s usable area by up to 25 per cent. The overall increase in efficiency also translates into a lower requirement for escalators and additional elevator shafts, resulting in significant construction cost savings as well as a multiplication of rent revenues from increased usable space. In a manner similar to a metro system operation, MULTI elevator design can incorporate various self-propelled elevator cabins per shaft running in a loop, increasing the shaft transport capacity by up to 50 per cent, making it possible to reduce the elevator footprint in buildings by as much as 50 per cent.

The SkyMotion machine’s lighter weight makes it easier to install and its smaller footprint saves building space. In addition, all SkyRise elevators come standard with the Otis SkyBuild self-climbing construction elevator.

KONE elevators have a set of latest offerings. KONE JumpLift which is a construction time elevator using the building hoists to move upward as construction progresses. It enables safe and fast construction, reduces downtime and costs, facilitates early closing of facades and enables safe and efficient transportation. KONE UltraRope is a new hoisting technology with a super light carbon fibre core. It supports the design of more sustainable, higher-performance buildings that are better equipped to meet the demands of urban living. Another offering is KONE Polaris hybrid destination control system that combines the best of destination and traditional control system, leading to increased handling capacity, shorter waiting times, fewer intermediate stops, and enhanced passenger comfort.

Digital Plan and Design tool helps in planning and enables architects to create elevator layouts and tender documents in a customised manner.
Vaibhav Pitale, Sr. Vice President – New Installation Business, Schindler India Pvt Ltd

There is growing demand for high-speed, high-capacity elevators that can carry many passengers at once.
Bharat Vishnani, Managing Director, thyssenkrupp Elevator (India) Pvt Ltd

Urbanisation has been the key factor in the rising demand for high-rise buildings to offset the land availability.
Sebi Joseph, President, Otis India

We live in an increasingly connected world and it makes sense for equipment, data and people to be connected.
Amit Gossain, Managing Director, KONE Elevators India Pvt Ltd

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