Otis, Lenovo Collaborate to Bring Robotics to Supertall Elevator Installation

Otis (NYSE: OTIS), the world’s leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation, service and modernization company, and Lenovo will collaborate to introduce a robot designed to automate drilling inside elevator hoistways. The collaboration combines Otis’ elevator engineering and installation expertise with Lenovo’s strengths in AI, computing and industrial robotics, with the aim of supporting safer, more efficient elevator installation.

The first deployment of this new robot technology is planned for the Tianjin 117 Tower, China’s tallest building under construction with the world’s tallest elevator in a building.

Installing elevators in a supertall building involves demanding work in a complex environment, said Sally Loh, President, Otis Greater China. By turning to modern technology to automate repetitive work in the hoistway, we hope to reduce health and safety risks and improve quality. Tianjin 117 will provide an important setting in which to deploy this technology.

Robot will automate repetitive hoistway drilling

Once the concrete elevator hoistway is poured and set, holes need to be drilled to secure the elevator guide rails, create openings for landing doors, and install landing door hardware.

Technology aims to support safer, more efficient installation

Hole drilling inside an elevator hoistway is a repetitive, physically demanding task with safety risks. Robotic automation could reduce the time installers spend inside of hoistways and limit their exposure to airborne industrial dust. Improved installation quality and efficiency are also anticipated. Lenovo’s vision of ‘Smarter AI for All’ is about turning technological capability into practical value across industries, said Yuli Bai, Vice President, Lenovo Group and President, Lenovo New World. This collaboration connects our ambition for intelligent transformation with real-world industry needs. Together with Otis, we will develop and evaluate a practical solution that could open new possibilities for robotics across the elevator sector.

Tianjin 117 provides a landmark project for the planned first deployment with an expedited construction schedule. Upon completion, the 117-story supertall tower is expected to host China’s highest occupied floor at 584 meters and the world’s tallest elevators at 597 meters. Otis is providing 266 elevators and escalators for the project.

Otis and Lenovo announced the collaboration at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

About Otis

Otis gives people freedom to connect and thrive in a taller, faster, smarter world. The global leader in the manufacture, installation, service and modernization of elevators and escalators, we move 2.5 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.5 million customer units worldwide – the industry's largest Service portfolio. You’ll find us in the world's most iconic structures, as well as residential and commercial buildings, transportation hubs and everywhere people are on the move. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 72,000 people strong, including 45,000 field professionals, all committed to manufacturing, installing and maintaining products to meet the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories. To learn more, visit www.otis.com.

About Lenovo

Lenovo is a US$83 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #153 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Guided by its vision of Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo is executing a Hybrid AI strategy that spans Personal AI – one personal AI, multiple devices; and Enterprise AI – helping customers turn data into insights and value. This strategy is delivered through the Group’s commitment to world-class innovation and a full-stack AI portfolio, including devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets, accessories), infrastructure solutions (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), as well as software, solutions, and services. With a global footprint spanning more than 20 research and development locations and a global supply chain that includes more than 30 manufacturing sites across 11 markets, Lenovo is widely recognized for its operational excellence. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). Learn more at www.lenovo.com and follow the latest news in our newsroom.