Business Chief Europe Magazine November 2016 | Page 11

THYSSENKRUPP ’ S MULTI
reason why this can ’ t be as easy as it is to install lift shafts in buildings now . This is about scale and moving more people with similar amounts of energy . Based on the planning we ’ ve done so far , we anticipate a significant environmental advantage .”
Points to prove With such promising interest in the MULTI , it must be tempting for Nehring and thyssenkrupp Elevator to rush the new lift system to market as quickly as possible . However , the
CEO has his feet firmly on the ground . There are many questions to answered , from health and safety to maintenance routines and comfort for the passengers .
“ The software and controls of the individual lift cabins have to work – if one cabin fails then where do we put it before repairing it ?” asks Nehring . “ Do we make side shafts every few floors for this purpose ? Do we have another lift car to come and pick the broken cabins up ? These are all things we will be looking at very closely .
“ There is also the smoothness of the ride and combining this with speed . We want to move people quickly and efficiently but not in discomfort . The braking system may need to be tweaked in a sideways moving shaft as well as the acceleration . A sudden sideways movement may be uncomfortable , like it is when a tube pulls away .”
Despite the challenges that lie ahead to get this installed in the test tower next year and into the real world by the end of the decade , Nehring is confident that it can be done . “ The most exciting thing is that we are far ahead of where the industry is now and this is a real game changer ,” he concludes .
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