Otis Unveils the Gen Nexus Intelligent Elevator Platform Advancing AI to Improve Elevator Safety and Performance

Otis also introduces future-looking elevator technologies for residential and heavy-duty applications, and proposes a novel approach to drone deliveries
 

Otis (NYSE: OTIS), the world’s leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation, service and modernization company, today unveiled Gen Nexus, its next-generation intelligent elevator platform designed to address the evolving needs of building owners, property managers and their passengers.

The Gen Nexus elevator platform brings together proactive safety, AI-enabled services and a scalable digital architecture to help deliver safer, smarter and more efficient elevator operations, through:

• Better insight into equipment condition and earlier identification of potential risks
• More predictive service
• The computing power and flexibility to add new capabilities as needs evolve

Otis is showcasing Gen Nexus at the 2026 China International Import Expo (CIIE), alongside other future-looking elevator technologies for residential and heavy-duty applications.

Otis Gen Nexus: A digital foundation for the future of elevators

“In China and around the world, rapid advances in technology and continued urbanization are creating new performance expectations for buildings and the equipment inside of them,” said Otis Chair, CEO and President Judy Marks. “The Gen Nexus platform provides the connected, digital foundation for the next evolution in elevator technology and service, applying AI and advanced computing to advance safety and reliability, improve overall performance, and support future innovation. By continuing to innovate around the needs of our customers and passengers, we’re delivering more reliable vertical mobility today, and advancing the standards for our industry into the future.”

With the Otis Gen Nexus elevator platform:

• A Programmable Electronic Safety System (PESSRAL) automatically performs safety circuit self-diagnostics before every elevator run, proactively identifying potential safety risks.
• A landing door monitoring system reduces unnecessary shutdowns and lowers the risk of door-related passenger entrapments.
• Built-in AI assesses key operating indicators, performance trends, and subsystem health scores.
• Digital twin technology acts as an elevator “flight recorder” continuously capturing key operating data to reconstruct fault events. This helps experts diagnose issues faster and prepare more targeted service actions.
• A modular, scalable digital platform supports the introduction of new capabilities and future innovations. This allows elevators to continuously evolve to meet new requirements, regulations, and technology trends while protecting long-term customer investments.

The Otis Gen Nexus platform is designed to support evolving safety, cybersecurity and data security requirements, including the proposed TSG 41 elevator safety requirements in China.

Elevator innovation for aging residential elevators, heavy-duty applications and drones

In addition to the Gen Nexus elevator platform, Otis:

• Introduced the Otis Gen3™ Comfort 2.0 for residential elevator modernization, bringing together design and technology to enhance the passenger experience and support the evolving needs of China’s aging residents.
• Launched its heavy-duty Otis Robust™ elevator range in China, purpose-built for mission critical infrastructure including healthcare facilities, airports, stadiums, data centers and industrial parks.
• Announced its exploration of drone applications for parcel delivery and elevator inspection and maintenance.

“China’s cities are undergoing renewal on a remarkable scale, creating new expectations for how people live and move within them. Nearly one in four people in China is now age 60 or older, reinforcing the need for infrastructure and mobility solutions that support people throughout their lives,” said Otis Greater China President Sally Loh. “At the same time, critical sectors such as healthcare and data centers are expanding rapidly. The Otis Gen Nexus platform, Otis Gen3 Comfort and Otis Robust elevators reflect how we’re innovating for these changing needs, with technology that anticipates problems, supports more independent mobility and keeps critical facilities running reliably around the clock.”

An upgraded Otis Gen3 Comfort 2.0 elevator for China’s continued urban renewal

Introduced at CIIE 2025, the Otis Gen3 Comfort elevator was a first-of-its-kind elevator designed for modernizing aging elevators in China’s residential communities, with features that support safer, more accessible and comfortable mobility for older residents. The new Otis Gen3 Comfort 2.0 is substantially upgraded to deliver a more connected, intuitive passenger experience. New features include home-based elevator calling, extended door-opening times and direct-to-floor travel, complemented by larger buttons and a clear interface. Otis Gen3 Comfort 2.0 also incorporates an AI agent that offers personalized interactions – from greetings to weather updates and other useful information. Its AI systems detect falls and dangers such as electric scooters.

The Otis Robust heavy-duty elevator range keeps critical infrastructure moving

Healthcare facilities, airports, stadiums, data centers and industrial parks operate around the clock, handling heavy loads and fleets of autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), with no tolerance for downtime. To meet these demands, Otis is combining its purpose-built Otis Robust heavy-duty elevators with loads up to 10,000 kg with tailored services, including AI-powered predictive maintenance, access control and integrated dispatch for AGVs.

Drones and Elevators

Otis is exploring solutions that connect drones with elevators, enabling parcels to move from the air directly into buildings and to their destination using the elevator hoistway. Beyond deliveries, the concept could also support collaboration with building automation partners on new approaches for inspection and maintenance services, including future drone inspections of elevator hoistways.

The 9th annual CIIE runs from November 5-10, 2026, showcasing innovation and fostering partnerships to advance global economic cooperation. Hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, the expo has attracted industry leaders from around the world since its launch in 2018.

Otis is exhibiting its state-of-the-art technologies and solutions at booth C2-01 in Hall 4.1 of the Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center.

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.