In an interview with Georges Habib, Service Director for KONE Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa, he says that the design trends and innovations in the elevator and escalator industry have been evolving to meet the region’s unique demands. He adds: “Some of these notable trends is digital solutions, driven by IoT and APIs, which revolutionise the industry in the Middle East. These solutions focus on connectivity, data-driven insights, and enriched user experiences by enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and data analytics.”
KONE, for example, offers KONE Elevator Call, where users can call the elevator via a smartphone app by selecting the floor they wish to go to for minimising unnecessary stops, reducing wait time, and enhancing user experience. The firm also offers KONE 24/7 Connected Service, which is AI-driven predictive maintenance that detects, and addresses maintenance needs in advance, minimising unexpected breakdowns and ensuring reliable performance.
Habib adds that another mega trend that has gained significant traction in the industry across the region is “sustainability, especially in shaping the built environment”. He says: “The region is increasingly focusing on green building solutions to address both current and future challenges, which is why KONE focuses on supporting its customers in achieving their sustainability targets by being a true sustainable and smart partner.” One of the popular trends which KONE has a lot to offer is energy regeneration where customers can benefit from up to 35% in energy savings by recovering energy from daily elevator use. KONE offers sustainable solutions for all buildings ranging from retrofitting LED lights to high-efficiency drive systems that minimise energy consumption.
He also reveals ongoing a trend for elevator customisation. “Elevator designs are becoming more customisable to suit the design direction of different buildings. From lighting solutions to materials and finishes, to allowing for a seamless integration with architectural designs, KONE offers powerful elevator Designs & Planning tools dedicated for architects, consultants, and designers.”
KONE provides the next-generation elevator Designs & Planning tools dedicated for architects, consultants, and designers, which is fully adaptive to the environment by offering a wide range of design options, allowing them to customise elevator interiors, including materials, colours, lighting, and finishes. Habib says: “This customisation enables the integration of our solutions into their building’s overall design and aesthetics. Whether it’s an office, residential, or hospital building, we can customise for any type of segment to provide a great user experience that will differentiate their building and make it more attractive to tenants in today’s competitive market. They can even try our tools for free by visiting our website.”
Talking about the key considerations when it comes to the operation and maintenance of elevator and escalator systems in the Middle East, Habib says: “Maintaining elevator and escalator systems in the Middle East requires special attention due to extreme climate conditions and heavy usage demands. High temperatures and sandstorms pose challenges, demanding equipment resilience. Regular maintenance is needed to prevent dust accumulation, and ensuring that cooling systems are operational. With a focus on energy efficiency and compliance with regional safety standards, skilled personnel and remote monitoring systems play a pivotal role in ensuring safety, reliability, and optimal performance.”
KONE secures the reliability and efficiency of its solutions through durable and robust solutions capable of withstanding harsh environmental conditions; there are sealed components to protect against sand intrusion through rigorous climate testing. Regular maintenance schedules prevent issues from dust accumulation, while specialised technical expertise ensures swift responses to regional challenges.
KONE has launched KONE Care DX, the industry’s first carbon-neutral AI-powered maintenance service globally and in the Middle East to help its DX class customers. KONE Care DX is an advanced elevator maintenance service that showcases KONE’s pledge to sustainability. Habib says: “All products and services offered under KONE Care DX are monitored to measure the carbon footprint contribution; all efforts are being taken to progressively reduce the carbon footprint in collaboration with global sustainability partners, and what cannot be eliminated, is compensated through carbon credits.” He says that predictive maintenance – enabled by the KONE 24/7 Connected Services for predictive detection and troubleshooting actions and 24/7 Planner, which offers asset condition reporting and asset budget planning – allows for timely maintenance interventions and reduced disruptions to enhance the lifetime of assets.
Furthermore, KONE confidently extends transparency of the service levels and asset conditions through KONE Mobile and KONE Online, providing building owners and facility managers with constant access to their elevator and escalator data, enabling them to make informed decisions about maintenance and modernisation.
When it comes to safety, KONE adheres to international safety standards and regulations, which are designed to ensure the safety of passengers and property.
Examples of safety features are the Emergency Stop Button that allows passengers to halt the escalator in case of an emergency. Also, interlocks prevent doors from opening unless the elevator is at the landing. There is the overload protection which ensures the elevator does not operate if the weight limit is exceeded, as well as the Safety Gear which activates in case of a malfunction, preventing the elevator from falling. Additionally, the Alarm and Communication System that allows passengers to communicate with building personnel in case of an emergency. Finally, the Lighting and Ventilation that ensures a well-lit and ventilated environment within the elevator. All vertical transportation systems are manufactured and installed according to safety codes: EN81-20 code for elevators and EN 115-1 for escalators and in accordance to ISO standards ISO45001(OHS), ISO9001(Quality) and ISO14001(Environment).
Additionally, KONE has integrated several safety technologies to reduce the risk of accidents. For example, the EcoDisc Motor which is designed for quick emergency stops, ensuring passenger safety while guaranteeing smooth operations. Furthermore, the KONE JumpLift innovatively transforms elevator shafts into temporary external lifts at construction sites, significantly reducing safety risks associated with conventional methods.
Habib adds by giving an example: “As for recent safety initiatives conducted by KONE Egypt, trainings and lectures about rescue operation and safety in elevators were given to ministries and universities. Also, safety instructions brochures were distributed among end users at Cairo Metro stations to raise awareness about safety while using escalators.”
Revealing some of the challenges, Habib says: “In the dynamic landscape of the Middle East, elevator and escalator installations face unique challenges arising from extreme temperature, humidity, storms, or even earthquakes, as well as from unique architectural designs and high-traffic buildings.
KONE has skilfully addressed these challenges by engineering robust solutions capable of withstanding harsh environmental conditions, customising solutions to fit diverse building structures as well as high traffic demands, and integrating cutting-edge technologies for efficient operations and predictive maintenance.”