How the Internet of Things Will Optimise Elevator Performance
The Internet of Things (IoT) has overtaken cloud computing in becoming the most talked-about technology trend of today. And this may partly result from the ease with which the underlying concepts which govern it can be grasped. With more devices gaining internet access by the day, the idea that disparate gadgets and systems can communicate with each other and get smarter as a result has obvious benefits that anyone can understand.
The latest innovation to emerge from the IoT industry has come about as a result of a partnership between software giant Microsoft and the engineering specialists at ThyssenKrupp. The focus of their work has been lifts; specifically the ability to use IoT technology to effectively eliminate delays caused by maintenance requirements. So how does the IoT operate in this area and how are related systems such as commercial platform lifts also staying ahead of the curve?
Managing Lift Maintenance
In the MAX elevator system developed by Microsoft and ThyssenKrupp, the lifts themselves sport advanced sensors for gathering data about their usage, operating conditions and other factors that impact the lifespan of particular parts. This information is passed on to Microsoft’s cloud-powered Azure IoT platform, which can then process the data and make accurate predictions as to when maintenance will be required. In effect, this will make it possible to predict breakdowns before they happen and enable operators to take action ahead of time.
Because the IoT allows this form of data harvesting and monitoring to occur in real time, and an estimated billion lift users are served by elevators managed by ThyssenKrupp’s technicians each day, the potential time saving could be substantial. In fact, Microsoft argues that every year the more efficient maintenance strategies enabled by IoT technology could save over two thousand years of waiting time that would otherwise be endured by lift users around the world.
Furthermore, this ability to manage lift maintenance more effectively will only become truly relevant as urbanisation continues over the course of this century and high rise living becomes more common. Whilst productivity can clearly be hampered by any unexpected downtime suffered by today’s lifts, this will only be magnified in the future unless IoT technology is adopted.
Platform Lift Potential
While this partnership applies largely to passenger lifts, there is every reason to expect that it will also be beneficial for users of commercial platform lifts, since cutting edge technology has always been adopted early in this sector.
The experience of using a lift has been enhanced significantly in recent years, with lifts becoming more intuitive and intelligent in their ability to meet the needs of customers. And if lifts are also able to utilise cloud computing and the power of the IoT, then venues and applications of all types will be better equipped to operate efficiently in the longer term.
The optimisation of lift maintenance, making it possible for technicians to be fully prepared to tackle problems before they occur, may take some time to enter the mainstream. But the inexorable march of progress will almost certainly see this become the norm in future decades.
