A luxury skyscraper in Dubai is set to feature one of the world’s longest elevator journeys, with a new lift designed to transport passengers more than 2,000 feet into the sky.
The elevator will be installed in Burj Azizi, a planned 2,379-foot skyscraper that is expected to become one of the world’s tallest buildings once completed.
The new system will allow passengers to travel continuously up to 2,071 feet, roughly the height of a 140-storey building, in double-decker elevator cars.
According to elevator manufacturer KONE, the technology combines artificial intelligence with ultra-lightweight hoisting cables to overcome the challenges of transporting lifts across extreme heights.
Traditional elevator systems can typically operate over distances of around 1,600 feet. At greater heights, the weight of conventional steel ropes becomes a major engineering challenge.
KONE has developed its UltraRope technology to reduce the weight of elevator systems. The company said it has managed to remove around 3,000kg from installations designed for journeys of up to 984 feet.
The elevators will also use AI to monitor passenger movements within the skyscraper and direct people to suitable lifts, helping to manage crowds. KONE said the technology could reduce elevator rush-hour waiting periods by up to 60%.
The double-decker design will also allow more passengers to be transported at once, an important feature for buildings combining offices, homes, hotels and retail spaces.
KONE CEO Philippe Delorme said advances in elevator technology were becoming increasingly important as cities continue to build skyscrapers reaching beyond the one-kilometre mark.
Burj Azizi is planned to reach 2,379 feet, which would place it behind Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building at 2,716 feet.
The Burj Azizi project is also set to feature the world’s highest nightclub, adding to the tower’s list of record-breaking attractions.
