ThyssenKrupp launching ‘game-changing’ IoT elevator technology
by Canadian Manufacturing.com Staff
Cloud-connected elevators expected to cut service outages by half
NEW YORK—ThyssenKrupp Elevator AG is launching what it called a “game-changing,” predictive and pre-emptive service solution for its new and existing elevators.
The company’s MAX technology will employ Microsoft’s Azure Internet of Things platform to extend its elevators’ remote monitoring capabilities, drastically cutting down on maintenance time and allowing the most used form of “transport” to operate more efficiently.
“Our mission is to do something nobody else in our field has done before: To transform a century-old industry that has relied on established technology until now,” Andreas Schierenbeck, CEO of ThyssenKrupp Elevator, said. “Cities need innovations that respond to the challenges of the massive urbanization we are currently witnessing. We are very pleased to work with Microsoft to truly take ThyssenKrupp into the digital era and change the way the elevator industry offers maintenance services.”
The new technology makes it possible for elevators to “tell” service technicians their real needs, transmitting in real-time, identification of repairs, component replacements, and proactive system maintenance.
ThyssenKrupp noted 12 million elevators worldwide move approximately one billion people each day, yet because of service interruptions, elevators are out of service a cumulative 190 million hours a year.
“MAX is set to improve all these statistics, aiming to cut unavailability periods by half,” the company said.
The platform functions by collecting data in real-time from connected ThyssenKrupp elevators. It then sends it to Microsoft’s Azure cloud where an algorithm calculates the remaining lifetime of key systems in each elevator.
“Now, ThyssenKrupp’s team of over 20,000 service technicians will be able to rely on MAX as their wingman, making it possible to be informed in advance when components will need to be repaired or replaced. In a MAX-connected building, people will wait less time, resulting in decreased stress and more quality time,” the company said.
