India's leading elevator manufacturers are expanding their production capacities in view of a likely revival in the real estate market, following the implementation of RERA and GST. A McKinsey report says that, currently, around 340 million or one-third of the Indian population lives in cities, which, by 2030, will be more than double, with India having 68 cities with a population of over 1 million.
Amit Gossain, MD, KONE India, opines that India's elevator and escalator market is likely to grow by 8-10 per cent this year, and will be provided by the latest technology products and best services to customers. KONE is developing new products as per market requirement, which will include integrating digital technology into its products. For instance, the company's latest gearless elevator Neo, designed for small homes and apartments, has a speed of 0.6 meter per second.
We are not only looking at better aesthetics, but also at more economical and safer world-class solutions
Amit Gossain, MD, KONE.
"Providing the best people flow for a memorable user experience is our priority. We have solutions with all the right features that ensure a smooth and safe ride for users. We are not only looking at better aesthetics, but also at more economical and safer world-class solutions," avers Gossain.
With people safety at the top of its agenda, KONE has a multi-year agreement with technology giant IBM to provide cloud-based technologies and services. It uses IBM's supercomputer Watson's IoT Cloud Platform to connect, remotely monitor, and optimize management of millions of escalators, doors and turnstiles in buildings and cities located worldwide. Now, instead of a customer calling a service engineer, KONE with this tie-up, can predict and resolve "selected" technical issues "remotely".
Otis has unveiled an all-new look for its elevators with sleek interiors that reflect Indian culture and modernity. Two new interior design themes named Aura and Atmos have been created for a selected range of Gen2® elevators, manufactured at the Otis factory in Bengaluru. Each theme has a distinct set of colours, materials and finishes, conceptualized by a team of industrial designers, and based on feedback from architects, real estate developers, and end-users.
The Aura theme brings an opulent look to the lift's interiors with an intricate work of mirror patterns on the ceiling and walls, and illuminated by soft lights. The Atmos range captures modern India with its design theme, which is a blend of technology and nature. Cool colours, soft lighting, muted edges, and mirror panels bring a sense of spaciousness to the interiors.
Says Sebi Joseph, President, Otis India, "Indian customers have consistently chosen Otis as the brand they trust as they have always viewed Otis products as safe and technologically advanced. Our new aesthetic packages will further enhance our ability to support building designers and owners in providing a stylish and contemporary environment for passengers."
Our new aesthetic packages will enhance our ability to support building designers and owners in providing a stylish and contemporary environment for passengers
Sebi Joseph, President, Otis India
Adds Sanjay Sudhakaran, Director, Sales and Marketing Strategy, Otis India, "Elevators are personal spaces with short and memorable moments of engagement. It's our endeavour to make this as fulfilling as possible."
ThyssenKrupp Access's new range of home lifts promises to offer users an all-in-one solution to improve their comfort and mobility at home. Launched in association with the company's Indian business partner Elite Elevators, the new Home Elevator H-300 uses gearless cog belt drive technology to give a silent and safe ride, with an extra-gentle start and stop. Its wide selection of bespoke interior finishes can meet every individual customer's design preference.
Since the elevator is developed completely new from base up, it has enabled Thyssenkrupp Access to implement all the necessary standards and yet maintain its uniqueness with features like No Pit, No Head Room, and single-phase power. A patented metal shaft makes it weather-proof and suitable for seismic conditions, and ideal for private homes. With H-300's groundbreaking functionality and safety parameters, the company hopes that the elevator will be a solution for preventing elevator accidents in India. Plus, its pricing is more economical as compared to its retail price in neighboring countries.
Comments Bharat Vishnani, MD, Thyssenkrupp Elevator India, "Demand for smart elevators in residences will grow, given the focus on smart cities and speed of urbanisation across the country. With no pit and headroom space requirements, the H-300 elevator complies with all standard dimensions and configurations and meets the most stringent requirements for safe accessibility. As a SIL3 certified lift, it sets a new benchmark for home elevator safety."
Demand for smart elevators in residences will grow given the focus on smart cities
Bharat Vishnani, MD, Thyssenkrupp Elevator India
Toshiba Johnson Elevators (India) has introduced ELCOSMO-TJ -a high-end compact machine room type Passenger Elevator. The Made-for-India elevator has been developed for the low and mid-rise segment, which is a rapidly growing elevator market in India. The elevator offers leading edge technology in energy consumption through a highly efficient PMSM motor, high quality VVVF drive system, LED lighting and several other benefits as a standard package to the users.
Says Junichi Kyushima, MD, TJEI, "Our newly developed standard model ELCOSMO-TJ is competitive both in terms of cost and delivery time, as some of the components are manufactured in India in collaboration with M/s. Johnson Lifts Pvt. Ltd. The elevator is a perfect blend of the latest technology and simplicity of design, and is available in the passenger carrying capacity range starting from 544 kgs to1020 kgs, and travel speed options of 1m/s and 1.75m/s."
In India, Toshiba has installed one of the fastest elevators, that can climb at 6 m per second, at One Avighna Park, a premier location in Mumbai, and at GIFT City in Gujarat, which can climb at a speed of 4 m per second.
Our elevator is a perfect blend of the latest technology and simplicity of design
Junichi Kyushima, MD, TJEI
Manufacturers are also anticipating demand for high-speed and gearless elevators, and for more energy-efficient products as the 'Green Building' concept is gaining ground in India. Since servicing and maintenance is a crucial factor for customers, they are also enhancing their manufacturing capability to produce high-end products and deliver the best support services. There is also a need for a uniform Lift Act across all states as it would set standard parameters to enforce better safety, use of new technologies, and optimize manufacturing and installation efficiency and cost.
