Fortifying the vertical transportation

The Indian elevator industry is booming, driven by rapid urbanisation and increased construction activities. Innovations in energy efficiency and IoT integration are key, with companies like Cibes, L’Avenir, Solvo, and Invertek leading the way. The government’s focus on smart cities and infrastructure development presents significant opportunities for elevator manufacturers. 

Several notable trends are shaping the elevator industry in India. First and foremost, there is a discernible shift towards smart and connected elevators, focusing on integrating Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. The desire for enhanced operational efficiency, predictive maintenance capabilities, and improved user experiences drive this trend. Additionally, energy efficiency remains a paramount concern, increasing the adoption of regenerative drives and other eco-friendly features. Touchless and biometric technologies are gaining prominence, reflecting a broader post-pandemic emphasis on hygiene and safety in vertical transportation.

In the bustling world of elevators, three key players are influencing the landscape with their unique contributions: Jagadish Kumar, the Principal Consultant & Director of L’Avenir Consultancy Pvt. Ltd, leads the charge in providing tailored vertical transportation solutions. With a specialisation in concept design, traffic analysis, and final inspections, the consultancy ensures a meticulous approach to meet the specific requirements of diverse buildings at every stage of the process.

Meanwhile, Justin Walker, the Product Manager at Invertek Drives Ltd, is revolutionising the industry with the Optidrive Elevator Core VFD. Designed exclusively for elevator manufacturers, installers, and engineers, this Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) sets new standards. Its standout feature is the innovative USB-C connectivity, enabling users to configure and power up the drive directly from a mobile device, eliminating the need for mains power. The built-in data recorder adds convenience and flexibility in challenging elevator shaft environments, marking a significant leap in motion control technology.

On a different note, Nidhi Gupta, the Managing Director of Cibes Lift India Pvt Ltd., brings a touch of customisation to the industry with the specialisation in Screw Drive Lift Technology for private residential homes. The elevators offered by Cibes India are efficient and highly customisable, reflecting a commitment to elevators as seamless integrations that enhance both aesthetics and functionality in residential buildings. From tailoring the shaft in steel or glass to adapting to challenging spaces and offering various colours, interior finishes, and lighting options, Cibes India ensures a smooth and personalised ride experience for each project, showcasing the marriage of form and function in vertical transportation.

Safety features

Elevators incorporate a range of safety features to protect passengers and prevent accidents. These include door interlocks to secure doors during operation, emergency stop buttons for immediate halting in crises, and overload sensors to prevent excess weight. Emergency communication systems enable swift contact with building personnel in emergencies, while fire service operation facilitates controlled use by firefighters during fire incidents. Safety brakes, infrared door sensors, and automatic recall to the nearest floor contribute to safe and controlled elevator operation. Additionally, features like lighting and ventilation in case of entrapment, anti-climb and anti-tamper measures and safety edges on doors collectively enhance passenger safety, making elevators secure and reliable means of vertical transportation.

L’Avenir thrives for passenger’s well-being and compliance with industry regulations. Their elevators undergo rigorous checks against IS17900 and NBC 2016-Part 8-Section 5A standards, ensuring adherence and surpassing prescribed safety benchmarks. Meanwhile, Justin highlights their design’s safety-centric features. With compliance with EN12015/6, anti-rollback and anti-stall mechanisms, built-in fault detection, and a unique integrated flight recorder accessible without mains power, the drive prioritises safety for engineers, service personnel, and users alike. Nidhi underscores its commitment to passenger safety through adherence to European safety regulations. Their platform lifts boast features such as the Automatic Rescue Device (ARD), safety edges, bars, and an emergency stop button, ensuring swift emergency response and accident prevention.

Advancements

In the fast-paced world of urban living, integrating smart technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) into elevator systems is reshaping how we experience vertical transportation. Once seen merely as functional elements of a building, elevators are now becoming intelligent entities that prioritise user experience, security, and maintenance like never before.

Jagadish emphasises the transformative impact of embracing smart technologies. Elevator systems powered by IoT are at the forefront of this revolution. The infusion of IoT technologies has propelled elevators towards enhanced speed and efficiency and significantly contributed to elevating user experience and ensuring top-notch security.

One of the key aspects of this technological integration is the ability to monitor elevators in real time, providing crucial insights into their performance. Safety circuits, load weighing, door cycles, trips, traffic trends, and waiting periods are meticulously monitored, generating a vast dataset.

Justin has taken the user interface perspective to a whole new level. He states, “Elevator drives are now accessible with a simple mobile phone and a standard USB-C cable.” This provides a reliable connection and easy access to drive settings and on-board diagnostic tools. The USB-C functionality extends to a user-definable flight recorder, sharing critical data points such as drive and motor operating conditions, travel information, and more. The unified integration of technology ensures efficiency and ease of troubleshooting, with data directly shareable with global product support teams.

Nidhi adds another layer to this narrative by highlighting the role of smart technologies in elevating security standards. Biometric access controls are becoming a standard feature, ensuring secure and personalised elevator access. Cibes envisions a future where connected lifts prioritise user experience and predictive and proactive maintenance measures, making elevators an integral and reliable part of users’ daily lives.

Ruchir Oza, Founder & CMD at Solvo Elevators, leads a company dedicated to high-speed, energy-efficient, low-maintenance elevator solutions. Using gearless traction technology, our elevators are customisable to fit building specifications. Sustainability is a focus, with features like regenerative braking saving power and extending battery life. The Smart Control system ensures 24/7 monitoring and timely notifications of any equipment issues. Complying with Bureau of Indian Standards safety regulations, Solvo Elevators combines innovation, efficiency, and safety in all products.

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