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R.I.S.E now operational

Schindler’s Robotic Installation System for Elevators (Schindler R.I.S.E), the world’s first self-climbing, autonomous robotic system able to conduct installation work in an elevator shaft, has this year for the first time been deployed commercially in customer projects, including the TrIIIple project in Vienna and the Varso Tower in Warsaw, the tallest skyscraper in the European Union.

So far, the installation of elevators has been a purely manual task: mechanics go into the elevator shaft to determine the correct mounting position of guide rail brackets, while drilling holes in the concrete walls to position the anchor bolts that hold the brackets. The same manual and repetitive procedure applies for the installation of the elevator landing door. 

With Schindler R.I.S.E, Schindler has now fully automated this part of the installation process, thereby revolutionizing the elevator fitting by making it faster and more accurate, while improving the health and safety conditions for technicians. This pioneering innovation was shortlisted in the category Innovation Leaders of this year’s Swiss Technology Award, the most important distinction for innovation and technology transfer in Switzerland.

“As buildings are becoming higher and are erected faster, Schindler R.I.S.E is an effective tool in the tall building industry. It makes installations faster, safer and more accurate, all benefiting our customers and technicians,” said Thomas Oetterli, CEO of Schindler. “Schindler R.I.S.E also serves as a flagship project for the general introduction of robotics in the construction industry to increase safety, quality and efficiency on construction sites.”

Schindler R.I.S.E was first deployed in 2017 as a prototype and since then has undergone a thorough testing phase in projects including The Circle at Zurich Airport, where it helped to install customized Schindler 5500 passenger elevators. After successfully completing testing, Schindler R.I.S.E has this year for the first time been deployed in Vienna’s TrIIIple project, a major development made of three 100m-tall towers, and, more recently, in the Varso Tower in Warsaw, where Schindler R.I.S.E executed installation work on a custom designed Schindler 7000 elevator. The scale of this project, planned to be completed in 2022, is testimony to the capabilities of this innovative solution that will be introduced in new projects globally. Next up will be a new building under construction in Dubai that will also see the new technology in action.