To be simple, Artificial intelligence is a new type of computer program. The idea was born in the 50’ but the machines were not powerful enough to make it work. We have to wait until 1990 to see Watson of IBM (an artificial intelligence program) win against a world class chess champion. In those programs, human do not control everything, the software analyse and chose its own actions.
More recently, we proved that the software could learn by himself, it is called the “Machine Learning”. Examples are usually given to the software and from those examples, it can calculate and generate a result.
For less than 10 years, it goes even further with the “Deep Learning”. The software can even find the result without any help. For example, there is a software that can determine if a person is young or old. And from those data, the software was able to say that our ears size which grows all our life is determinant.
And now, the Big Data
You probably noticed that when you are doing your shopping online or just when you are watching a product, you will be target by advertising right after.
It is possible thanks to the massive data processing. Here again, in the 60’, it would have took years to process all the data. Today, it can be done instantly and this technology is used for meteorology, medicine or maintenance.
Firsts application of Artificial Intelligence
In order to fluidize traffic in high buildings, they developed algorithms of sophisticated maneuvers. For example, if we are aware that at 9 am, a lot of people will be in the 3rd floor to drink a cup of coffee, the elevator will have to be ready.
Maintenance with Artificial Intelligence
A lot of manufacturers are making alliances with companies like IBM, Microsoft or GE Digital to implement artificial intelligence in their elevators.
How does it works on elevators ?
It is all about retrieving data and we can easily see 3 of them.
In modern elevators
The control panel can be used for that. Some manufacturers are talking about 300 different data. For example: speed, number of runs, weight, door openings, landings, etc.
In old elevators: remote monitoring
The phone on the cabin can be transform on a remote monitoring system. A connected device can be plug at specific spots to retrieve the needed data.
In old elevators: The Black Box
Another solution from a manufacturer. A connected box is plugged on the cabin roof and it collects data. It can retrieve acceleration, speed, height, etc.
This manufacturer claims that The Black Box can retrieve 200 different data.
Nota: a french newspaper “Le Figaro” revealed a startup named Uptime. It was founded by Augustin Cellier, a former OTIS employee and his brother. They install two boxes, one on the cabin roof and the second on machinery. According to them, there are 3 failures per year and they promise 0 failure because they are able to prevent the failure by replacing the part before the break.
How does it works for lift technicians ?
Lift technicians have now smartphones where they receive their schedule and they can directly reassure the customer and their managers. Thanks to that, we have access to live monitoring on failures and repairs.
How does it works for data processing ?
All the data are processed by correlations. If there are a lot of elevators connected, the software will be able to notice that when the ride time change, there will be a failure right after. It can process a lot of data like this.
Last step, Elevator engineers
This is where the data is exploited. When we know that the ride time change, what do we need to do ?
Then, with the right data and the right conclusion, the lift technician knows instantly what he needs to do.