TyssenKrupp tests MULTI: World’s first cable-free multi-directional elevator system

Ever since the inception of ingenious idea of transporting people in multilevel buildings, the basic concept of elevators hasn’t changed much. Although there have been many cosmetic and technological upgrades, the elevators in high rise buildings as well as other locations benefit from this useful invention. Now German engineering company TyssenKrupp wants to take the concept of elevators to the next level with MULTI. The cable-free elevator design was initially put forward by TyssenKrupp in 2014, and now it is pretty close to getting materialized.

This future forward elevator technology is similar to the Maglev train, wherein propulsion takes place without any physical contact with the rails. It’s the magnets which propel the elevators in vertical or horizontal direction. Since there are no cables, multiple elevator units can move up/down or left/right in the elevator system. Just like a metro network operating in a city, MULTI elevator system has multiple cabins operating in a loop.

You would imagine that lack of any cables means increased risk of a major hazard, but MULTI has a safe multi-level brake system and energy management on each elevator car for full proof safety. To top it off, the elevator system is going to use 60% less energy than conventional elevator systems.

Ever since MULTI was first incepted, TyssenKrupp has been constructing a 246 meters high test tower in Rottweil, Germany, and now it is complete, ready for the wire-free elevator system to be tested. For now the company is testing the system with 12 shafts to test the speeds of up to 18 meters/second, and three dedicated shafts for certifying the system.

MULTI elevator system is well on its way to offer unprecedented possibilities for the architecture of future. With urban spaces becoming constricted with every passing day, the only way to overcome space constraint is by building high rises. For such high rises, a cable-free elevator would definitely be able to overcome the challenges of constructing future buildings.