KONE, a leading manufacturer of elevator and escalator systems, recently signed on with IBM to utilize its Watson IoT Platform to bring its new 24/7 Connected services to market. The new service connects elevators, escalators, automated doors, and turnstyles to the cloud, enabling remote systems to interpret messages from the units and make proactive recommendations for service and preventative maintenance. This helps to keep "needier" units operable, and others running smoothly. This move is being done to "deliver the best People Flow experience", according to KONE President and CEO Henrik Ehrnrooth.
Though usually a mundane interaction in our lives, these people-moving machines are complex units with multiple on-board systems as well as an array of safety mechanisms that need to be maintained. It's all being done in the name of efficiency - an elevator out of service in a busy office building doesn't go unnoticed. When an error code can be interpreted, parts ordered from stock, and a service tech dispatched all from an advanced analytics engine within minutes the users of these people movers will be up to speed more quickly. KONE's new utility also collects equipment data, which is then utilized to develop new applications and solutions, as well as monitor performance of products, such as when elevator traffic is highest and its correlation to nearby public transportation schedules.
KONE's goal is to connect its million-plus units to this service over the next few years and marks an impressive worldwide use of IBM's Watson technology. To learn more about KONE and IBMs partnership click here.