New and Emerging Technology Product Spotlight & Resources

All About Innovation

When the pandemic tightened its deadly grip on the world, the vertical-transportation (VT) industry sprang into action. Elevators and escalators are key to continued growth of cities and, in some cases, vital to life itself — providing transportation throughout hospitals, for instance. Innovative and often amazing technological innovations from VT companies are among the relatively small silver linings of the COVID-19 situation — silver linings that promise to make the world a better, safer and less-stressful place and, of course, pave the way for continued urbanization and economic growth. Elevators and escalators have become smarter and more efficient, using the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence to provide features such as touchless, voice-controlled operation of elevators and escalator handrail disinfection systems that use UV-C light. On the non-pandemic side, such systems present new advertising and information-sharing opportunities. Such innovations have been embraced by retailers, casinos and offices, to name only a few.

In addition to making VT equipment safer, new technology can also result in cost savings through developments like remote monitoring and predictive maintenance that allow property owners to fix problems before they occur. Better and more targeted care, of course, results in longer equipment life. Dr. Rory Smith, author of “IoT: Magic or Myth?” in the Focus on New and Emerging Technology section that follows this special advertising section, said it well: “When IoT reaches its full potential, it will seem like magic. It is in the process of forever changing the lift industry.” Check out how some VT players are being part of that change in the following special advertising section.