Schindler—which manufactures and installs elevators, escalators, and moving walkways—has created a robot called R.I.S.E. (robotic installation system for elevators) to help install lifts in high-rise buildings.
Schindler calls R.I.S.E. the world’s first self-climbing, autonomous robotic system, saying it provides high-level accuracy, better-quality installations, improved planning with BIM integration, and improved worker safety.
As buildings are growing taller and wider, they place increasingly challenging demands on installation schedules. To date, elevators have been installed manually: 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 repetitive, manual procedure applies to the installation of elevator landing doors.
Watch R.I.S.E. in action:
With Schindler R.I.S.E, the Switzerland-based company has fully automated this part of the installation process. As a result, the elevator fitting can be done more quickly and accurately, while also improving the health and safety conditions for technicians. The innovation was shortlisted in the Innovation Leaders category of the Swiss Technology Award.
“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,” Thomas Oetterli, Schindler CEO, said in a statement. “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. It then underwent testing on projects including The Circle at Zurich Airport. In 2020, after completing the testing phase, Schindler R.I.S.E was first deployed in Vienna’s TrIIIple project and Warsaw’s Varso Tower. The robot also has been used for Dubai’s Uptown Tower.
Related Stories
AEC Tech | Mar 26, 2019
Embracing collaboration tools from outside the AEC industry
Let's take a look at the available technologies from outside AEC that are seeing greater adoption within the industry.
AEC Tech | Mar 24, 2019
5 ways designers and builders can use business intelligence with data they already have
Tricky construction budgets, large project teams, and unique designs needing extensive coordination are all problems increasingly being handled with new software tools and data.
AEC Tech | Feb 8, 2019
BI(m): BIM data without models
A new breed of data tools creates a valuable opportunity for the next wave of BIM and facilities management, one where “pure data” is at the center, writes John Tobin of SMRT Architects.
AEC Tech | Jan 9, 2019
Our robotic future: Assessing AI's impact on the AEC profession and the built environment
This is the first in a series by Lance Hosey, FAIA, on how automation is disrupting design and construction.
3D Printing | Dec 7, 2018
Additive manufacturing heads to the jobsite
Prototype mobile 3D printing shop aims to identify additive manufacturing applications for construction jobsites.
AEC Tech | Sep 27, 2018
BD+C editors want your input on AEC technology
Please help us improve our editorial coverage by taking this brief survey.
Sponsored | AEC Tech | Sep 14, 2018
Sponsored webinar: Benefits of traceable construction
In this free 60-minute webinar, Keith Alcorn of FARO Technologies will talk about the concept of traceable construction and how 3D reality capture solutions provide portable, efficient, secure, and forward-looking solutions for data collection, pre-processing, and evaluation in the design, build and operating phase. September 18, 2:00 EST.
AEC Tech | Jul 24, 2018
Weidt Group’s Net Energy Optimizer now available as software as a service
The proprietary energy analysis tool is open for use by the public.
Accelerate Live! | Jul 17, 2018
Call for speakers: Accelerate AEC! innovation conference, May 2019
This high-energy forum will deliver 20 game-changing business and technology innovations from the Giants of the AEC market.
Accelerate Live! | Jun 24, 2018
Watch all 19 Accelerate Live! talks on demand
BD+C’s second annual Accelerate Live! AEC innovation conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago) featured talks on AI for construction scheduling, regenerative design, the micro-buildings movement, post-occupancy evaluation, predictive visual data analytics, digital fabrication, and more. Take in all 19 talks on demand.
