Empowering Smart Cities: Innovations in Connected Elevator Technology.
Amit Gossain is the Managing Director of KONE Elevator India & South Asia, where he leads a dynamic team in advancing the company's mission to improve the flow of urban life. With an extensive background working within a multicultural workforce, Amit has held numerous leadership roles both globally and in India within large multinational companies. His long tenure in the industry equips him with deep experience and robust industry knowledge, which he leverages to drive the organizational vision forward.
Amit is renowned for his problem-solving acumen, ability to create value for customers, maximize revenue growth, and enhance business performance. His leadership at KONE is characterized by a strategic approach to delivering solutions that not only meet current market demands but also anticipate future needs.
KONE, a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, is dedicated to making urban journeys safe, convenient, and reliable through more effective People Flow®. The company offers a comprehensive range of products including elevators, escalators, and automatic building doors, along with maintenance and modernization solutions that add value to buildings throughout their lifecycle. In 2021, KONE reported annual sales of EUR 10.5 billion and employed over 60,000 people worldwide. The company's class B shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. in Finland.
Amidst the turmoil of everyday life, the small luxuries that make human lives easier can sometimes remain under the radar. One of the technological and engineering advancements that deserves all appreciation for its vital contribution is the elevator. These ground-breaking inventions are essential in modern culture, altering the way people live and work. Elevators, often concealed in plain sight within buildings, are the underrated heroes of vertical transportation. They provide easy access to different floors, making high skyscrapers and multi-story constructions efficient and user-friendly.
As urbanisation continues to grow at a rapid pace globally, the demand for vertical transportation has increased owing to the proliferating demand for high-rise buildings and skyscrapers. The elevator industry has also observed tremendous technological advancement in the last few decades. These advancements are having a substantial influence on how elevators are built and operated for people working in related disciplines and industries. Let’s delve into the innovations that have evolved the elevator industry while empowering smart cities:
Smart Elevators: As the number and height of skyscrapers get bigger, elevator contractors and manufacturers need to enhance the speed and safety of their products in order to remain competitive. Smart elevators have brought substantial shifts to the industry. These elevators use smart technology to enable more efficient passenger transportation, especially in office buildings amid peak hours. Likewise, they can be programmed to work dynamically based on the passengers' travel preferences and at various hours of the day.
IoT Integration: Elevators with internet connections are ubiquitous. This vertical transit system relies on sensors to work. In order to analyse the wear and tear of the lift's components and equipment, the sensor collects data on usage, among other things. The cloud-based technology saves this information to anticipate whenever maintenance is required. This further assists professionals in preparing for potential issues and resolving them before they become troublesome. These innovations simplify, save money, and need less labour-intensive maintenance.
Virtual Reality Prognosis: The elevators contain millions of pieces and thousands of combinations, making it difficult to pinpoint a problem. However, technicians can use augmented reality to analyse faults on the job site or even before they arrive. Mechanics can identify problems without risking their lives, such as climbing numerous storeys or dangling from a lift shaft. Furthermore, to obtain a better grasp of the equipment and its components, the technician merely needs to wear glasses and use hand gestures. The headset's view may be enlarged, allowing the user to perform virtual walkthroughs and identify particular areas that need to be repaired.
Biometric Technology: In response to increasing global health concerns, touchless technology has gained popularity in the elevator industry. Biometric access systems and untouchable controls are being introduced to eliminate contact points while enhancing cleanliness. These cutting-edge innovations guarantee a secure and contact-free elevator experience for everyone on board.
Destination Control Systems: Destination control systems are changing how lifts operate within buildings. These modern systems employ algorithms for pairing passengers with similar destinations, limiting wait times and stops. These systems contribute significantly to improve elevator efficiency and customer comfort by optimising traffic flow.
Green Elevators: While environmental consciousness is on the rise, the elevator sector is determined to reduce its carbon impact. Energy-efficient lifts with regenerative drive systems are becoming the standard, capturing and reusing energy during operation. In addition, intelligent algorithms optimise elevator schedules to save electricity, keeping the buildings more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Future of Elevator Industry
According to Data Bridge Market Research, the Indian elevator industry is expected to grow to USD 2421 million by 2029 at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period. Some of the key contributors driving this evolution are the rapid rate of industrialisation and the increase in the construction of skyscrapers, etc. The potential of enhanced services and a deeper understanding of data drives new inventions and continual system changes in the sector. A new technology being developed by the industry promises to make elevators self-sufficient. With its assistance, lifts may travel vertically and horizontally through shaft loops within structures, seeking to eliminate the need for cables. Additionally, specific elevators are being developed to supply building owners with real-time information regardless of where they are. Consequently, they may be able to run and manage the building more efficiently.
In the near future, the emergence of emergency lifts is anticipated. These lifts will be capable of providing structures with a staggering number of potential safety advancements. The emergency evacuation system might be added to the present elevators by updating them with new codes.
Wrapping Up
Elevators have seamlessly amalgamated into the fabric of human lives, improving their everyday routines in ways they may not even realise. They represent development, innovation, and inclusion while providing accessibility, efficiency, and a sense of architectural magic. Today, the elevator industry is witnessing a tremendous revolution, propelled by its emphasis on safety, sustainability, and technological breakthroughs. With the coordinated efforts of mechanics, engineers, builders, lift manufacturers, and scientists, it will become possible in the future to uncover elevator solutions that are less expensive and ensure efficiency as well as performance.