Fantasy films are a source of creativity that have anticipated many technological developments that eventually became reality. Could they also give us clues about the interiors of buildings of the future?
You’ve surely seen futuristic elevators in more than one science fiction movie that moved at high speeds or in multiple directions for the user’s convenience. The super-fast elevator on the USS Enterprise in Star Trek or the vehicles in Minority Report that climbed up the side of the building, taking Tom Cruise straight to his apartment, are examples of just how far the imagination can go. And what about fantasy films? Who wouldn’t want to ride in an elevator like the one at Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory?
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Well, we might be able to do that very soon. Or at least use a new type of elevator that's different from the ones we know today.
A German company has developed some cable-free elevators, which will mark a true revolution in the construction of high-rise buildings. This system could make future elevators in large skyscrapers every bit as impressive as those in science fiction movies, since they will be able to transport large numbers of people in more than one direction—a feature that leads many to compare them to how the subway operates.
In these ThyssenKrupp-designed elevators, called MULTI, the current hoist ropes are eliminated and replaced by linear motors, similar to those used by the Transrapid magnetic levitation train, which allow the elevator to move both horizontally and vertically.
The installation of these elevators will require a smaller space that they are used for the installation of conventional elevators, making them particularly suitable for urban areas with limited space. According to its designers, MULTI It will improve efficiency and increase capacity in terms of transport capacity compared to cable-driven elevators. In addition, the use of the MULTI system will reduce wait times, since it allows multiple cabins to operate simultaneously.
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ThyssenKrupp has already unveiled this elevator model, and it will be tested this year in Germany, with the hope that the prototype will move forward and that these elevators will soon be seen in buildings across major cities. Who knows… maybe we’ll soon start seeing flying cars in our cities, too.
