Page 16 - Spaces Magazine Volume 1

· 16 · Vol 0ne ® Smart Spaces 100% of all future elevators will be connected to the cloud. If you modernize the elevator of an existing building, you can reimagine the whole building, so a big question will be how we bring old buildings to the same level as new ones so that they can cater to people’s expectations in the 2030s. Elevating the future of mobility Fifteen or so years isn’t that long for cities or buildings, even if it is quite a long time for people. It’s not going to be a flying elevator we’re working on, or a teleport. But people will still need to move around inside buildings and through urban spaces in the 2030s, and the importance of sustainable solutions, accessibility and ease of use is only set to increase. Almost all of the buildings that people are going to be using in 2035 have already been built, so this is the foundation we’ll be working on, even while people and their needs keep evolving. It knows where you’re going and it’s taking you directly there, maybe giving you some helpful advice along the way. It’s probably connected to your smart wearable device – maybe not your smartphone anymore. What are the latest technologies that are transforming the industry? When we think about our R&D work, the role of software, data and AI will continue to grow. We can assume that the elevator will become more intelligent and that in future all elevators are 100% connected to the cloud. We can also expect that our own competence in those areas will increase significantly. One important emerging technology is the use of a digital twin to design, test and validate elevators in virtual environments – not just of the car and shaft, but of the actual building and even block or district. We are also doing a lot of innovation around making elevators lighter and more energy efficient. We focus on sustainable use of materials in product design and production, and continuously find ways to extend product lifetime with maintenance and modernisation. Sustainability is a key design principle in all our innovation. We have also invested significantly in construction and logistics. Whether it’s a new or existing building, the time it takes to get the new elevator installed, modernised or replaced has been significantly reduced. One other important emerging technology is the use of a digital twin to design; where we work with our Digital EcoSystem Partners to test and validate elevators in virtual environments. Not just of the car and shaft, but of the actual building and even block or district. Virtual and augmented realities will be more This enables us to run simulations and popular than today. While it’s still likely to be ensure not just that the elevator is the right a metal box that people will get into, it will one for the building, but that it’s the best be a faster ride, less waiting time and more possible optimisation for the flow of people intelligent. and material in that specific environment.