How Smart Elevators Are Transforming Vertical Mobility

Manish Mehan, Chief Executive Officer of TK Elevator India, in an exclusive interaction with Industry Outlook shared insights on how smart elevators in India leverage AI, IoT, and predictive maintenance to enhance efficiency, reduce downtime, and optimize energy consumption. He emphasizes while high costs remain a challenge, retrofitting, cloud analytics, and smart city initiatives are accelerating adoption, driving sustainable urban mobility. A strategic business leader with deep expertise in finance, operations, and organizational growth, Manish has led TK Elevator to achieve double-digit growth, operational excellence, and innovation-driven transformation in India's vertical mobility sector.

Smart elevators are improving urban mobility with machine learning and predictive maintenance. How are these technologies improving vertical mobility and cost efficiency in India’s buildings?

Smart elevators are transforming urban mobility in India by using machine learning (ML) and predictive maintenance to enhance efficiency in high-rises. ML analyzes real-time usage patterns to optimize operations, reducing wait times, improving passenger flow, and cutting energy consumption.

Predictive maintenance, powered by AI and IoT, detects wear and potential failures early, preventing breakdowns and reducing repair costs. Remote monitoring enables quick issue resolution, minimizing disruptions.

Smart elevators also boost cost efficiency with energy-saving technologies like regenerative drives and AI-driven destination control, lowering electricity and operational expenses. Despite initial costs, their long-term savings, reliability, and improved user experience make them essential for modern high-rises.

AI and IoT integration improve elevator performance but face adoption challenges. How are AI-driven predictive maintenance and IoT improving performance and overcoming adoption barriers in India?

AI-driven predictive maintenance and IoT are enhancing elevator performance in India by improving reliability, efficiency, and cost savings. AI analyzes sensor data to detect faults early, reducing downtime and emergency repairs. IoT enables remote diagnostics, ensuring faster issue resolution and minimal disruptions.

Beyond reliability, AI-driven traffic analysis optimizes elevator operations, cutting wait times and improving passenger flow. Smart elevators also boost sustainability with energy-efficient technologies like regenerative drives. However, adoption faces challenges, including high costs, infrastructure gaps, and data security concerns.

To address these, cost-efficient solutions like cloud-based maintenance and IoT retrofitting are making upgrades more accessible. Enhanced cybersecurity and government-backed smart city initiatives are further driving adoption. As demand for reliable and sustainable vertical mobility grows, AI and IoT are set to transform India’s elevator industry.

Data analytics and IoT boost elevator efficiency, though implementation costs remain. How are developers addressing cost concerns while improving elevator efficiency and scalability in India?

Indian developers are tackling cost concerns while improving elevator efficiency through data analytics, IoT, and modular smart technologies. Though advanced systems require upfront investment, long-term savings make them viable for modern buildings.

A key strategy is retrofitting elevators with IoT sensors instead of full replacements, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and energy optimization at lower costs. Cloud-based analytics further reduce expenses by eliminating on-site data centers while enhancing scalability.

Energy efficiency is another focus, with regenerative drives recycling excess energy and AI-driven destination control optimizing travel patterns. Government incentives and smart city initiatives are also boosting adoption. As high-rise demand grows, smart elevators are becoming essential for cost-effective, sustainable urban mobility.

Energy-efficient smart elevators promote sustainability in India’s high-rise sector. How do regenerative drives and energy-efficient systems support sustainability goals in urban developments across India?

Energy-efficient smart elevators are driving sustainability in India’s high-rise sector by reducing energy consumption and operational costs. Technologies like regenerative drives and AI-driven energy management systems support eco-friendly urban mobility while aligning with India’s sustainability goals.

Regenerative drives capture excess energy during elevator movement and feed it back into the building’s power grid, cutting energy use by 30-50%. AI optimizes power usage by adjusting operations based on demand, while sleep mode functions and LED lighting further enhance efficiency.

Green certifications like LEED and IGBC, along with government smart city initiatives, are accelerating adoption. By integrating these technologies, India’s high-rise sector is moving toward a greener, more sustainable future.

Urbanization drives demand for advanced traffic management in elevators. How are traffic management systems improving wait times and scalability in urban places across India?

With rapid urbanization in India, high-rise buildings face increased elevator traffic, leading to congestion and longer wait times. Advanced Traffic Management Systems (TMS) optimize operations, improving efficiency and scalability.

A key innovation is the Destination Control System (DCS), which groups passengers by destination, reducing stops and wait times. AI and machine learning further enhance traffic flow by predicting peak hours and prioritizing high-demand floors. IoT-enabled smart scheduling prevents bottlenecks, while multi-car and double-decker elevators maximize space efficiency.

Integrated with building automation, these systems improve mobility and energy efficiency. As cities grow, AI-driven elevator management is becoming essential for seamless urban transportation.

Autonomous elevator systems are transforming urban mobility with AI optimization. How do autonomous elevators and AI optimization affect mobility and technology in India’s rapidly growing cities?

Autonomous elevators powered by AI are transforming urban mobility in India’s growing cities by enhancing efficiency, safety, and sustainability. These smart systems analyze passenger traffic, predict demand, and optimize travel routes, reducing wait times and congestion.

AI-driven predictive maintenance minimizes breakdowns, lowering repair costs and improving reliability. Touchless controls enhance accessibility and hygiene, while advanced elevator systems like TWIN elevators—featuring two independent cabins in one shaft—boost passenger throughput without increasing space requirements.

As smart cities advance, autonomous elevators are becoming essential for efficient urban infrastructure, optimizing traffic flow, reducing energy use, and seamlessly integrating with smart building systems.