The Interesting Effects COVID Has Had On Elevators

Before COVID you probably didn’t give too much thought to the highly social aspects of elevators. Whether you lived in an apartment, worked in an office tower, or were visiting friends in their condo, stepping into an elevator didn’t necessarily pose any risks. However, once the pandemic hit, the whole idea of elevators Calgary, and the buildings that contain them changed.

From people wearing gloves to push elevator buttons, to let the elevator doors close in someone’s face, elevator riding has become a source of anxiety and paranoia for many. As a result, COVID has had an interesting effect on elevators and how they might look in the future. Here’s how.

The Fear of Germs

First and foremost, elevators present fear of germs that was something unique to germaphobes pre-pandemic. Now we all have a fear of touching buttons and traveling with others inside that tight little cab. Since the virus was said to be transmitted by both touch and breathing, the entire elevator experience became a germ-spreading nightmare. While the idea of touching is not downplayed, in the beginning, the fear of touching buttons was very real. So how can new elevator designs contend with these fears?

Touchless Apps

Expect to see new touchless concepts in elevators to help reduce contact with germs. The technology could start leveraging blue tooth access to create apps that interact with elevators. For example, adding proximity sensors to high rises that connect with apps on people’s phones can trigger the elevators to head down to the lobby. App users will register with the buildings they frequent whether it is work, home, or friends, and the app will read who you are, send an elevator to meet you, and then use a default setting to send you to your floor. The apps would also allow you to approve the designated floor or switch it if you are headed say to a meeting. However, knowing elevators are infamous dead zones for connectivity, the app concept might not be as effective once inside the elevator. These are the little details that would need ironing out to make this idea work.

Touchless Sensors

Since the whole app idea comes with issues, the next technology to watch for would be touchless sensor-based systems. People can wave their hands over the button or touch pads to request an elevator and to select their floors.

Step On It

One idea looks at creating foot-operated buttons to request an elevator. This allows people to use their foot instead of their hands in major traffic high-rise buildings to reduce coming into contact with germs.

Antibacterial Materials

Another idea that is more cost-effective is to use antibacterial materials such as copper for frequently touched surfaces in elevators. Copper for example prevents germs from hanging around, so could replace plastics and other metals used in elevators.

Hyper Cleaning Methods

There have already been new products and disinfectants introduced in light of the pandemic. This includes self-cleaning products that can be applied to elevator surfaces to kill germs on contact. These products are more effective than bleach and are applied in various ways and with various timelines based on the cleaning solution used.

Ultra-violet light can also be embedded in elevators to fight the spread of germs. The technology could allow for weight sensors to be installed and used to detect when the elevator is empty. Once confirmed disinfectant sprays can automatically be dispersed to clean surfaces.

Robot Deliveries

These systems would work using robots to help reduce elevator traffic. Room service in hotels, delivering items in hospitals, and industrial buildings would all benefit from robot operation that allows items to be transported without the need for humans.

Increased Elevator Capacity and Efficiency

The long waits for elevators in high rises due to COVID are frustrating. Buildings will seek ways to either increase elevator capacity or improve efficiency to reduce waits between packed elevators. More square footage with floor decals to indicate how many people can board is a simple answer, but only really for new buildings. However, multi-systems that allow more than one cab to travel in a single shaft with high speeds are possible with new technology such as magnetic levitation. As well, cabs can be built to move up and down as well as sideways to become more efficient in reaching waiting passengers. 

As you can see, technology is already rising to the occasion to help to build managers, builders, and designers meet the needs of a post-pandemic world.