In a recent issue of Semafor, Otis CEO Judy Marks said, “There are always times of uncertainty. What I tell my team is to remain calm and focus on what we can control.” It sometimes takes nerves of steel to “stay calm and carry on,” especially when political strife, conflicts and wars continue to escalate, and tariffs, or their possibility, have brought uncertainty. But, refocusing can make a huge difference. Look around you and identify those things that are not changing, decide how you can improve, strengthen or automate them.
There are many ways in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) and even robotics can help the vertical-transportation (VT) industry. AI excels at gathering vast amounts of data, organizing it and targeting what you really need to know for things like project management or “just-in-time” material ordering. AI also helps in the areas of Maintenance and Safety, this issue’s focus topic. Two articles in this issue tackle that topic:
- New Accidents Potential in Elevators by Anthony Andon. Your author details several cases.
- Myths and Realities on Elevator Safety by Zaydoon Khzouz. Twenty-two myths uncovered by your author are explored.
The thread of AI runs through this issue. It is discussed in Application of Fuzzy-Enhanced Reinforcement Learning in AI for Elevator Group Control by Meysam Talebi. This is a simplified course on how AI can be taught what elevator technicians need it to learn. Dr. Ali Albadri translates the heartbeat of the escalator in Temperature Fractal and Nonlinear Behavior for Escalators.
In addition, we report on many events this issue, including The 13th International Seminar on Elevators and Escalators in Tehran, Iran. The popular, well-attended event held at the Koosha International Center of Applied Science and Technology featured technical panels, educational workshops and a technical exhibition. Destination: Interlift highlights the upcoming trade fair to be held in Nuremberg, Germany, for the first time. The Lift Road Show Brasília 2024 promoted technological developments, learning and commercial relationships in the Brazilian VT industry. Finally, MIPIM 2025 focuses on the innovations in urban mobility and sustainability that shape the future of real estate.
Our offerings are broad this issue. We feature a great article by Dr. K. Ferhat Çelik, Energy Efficiency of Elevators. The engineer compares hydraulics to machine-room-less systems, pointing out many interesting aspects of both systems. In Saudi Arabia Game-Changer, submitted by TKE, the company talks about its joint venture with Alat that will allow them to manufacture VT solutions locally to serve large-scale developments in the Kingdom and beyond. Finally, the CTBUH 2025 Trends & Forecasts report, submitted by CTBUH, reveals the shifting global skyline and new market realities.
There is much more to be read in this issue. I hope you explore it all and enjoy it.
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