The role of innovation is growing. A lot of today’s people flow challenges are the result of urbanisation together with aging population and infrastructure. Whatever the challenge, KONE has a passion for making people’s lives easier.
KONE takes a long-term approach to meeting people flow needs and concentrates on optimising total lifetime costs. For example, KONE has introduced several innovations that provide significant energy savings. Sustainability is also a solid part of new KONE innovations. With innovative maintenance and modernisation solutions, KONE provides efficient performance and peace of mind for the full lifecycle of the equipment. And an elevator trip is not just a ride – it’s also a travel experience. So KONE creates a complete ride experience with aesthetics, comfort, safety and accessibility.
KONE’s innovation leadership is constantly being strengthened in R&D centers around the world working together with customers, suppliers, strategic allies, research institutes and KONE units. These global development projects are implemented with unified tools and processes.
As a people flow expert, KONE has a wide range of highly skilled specialists. There are almost 600 people working with KONE technology and R&D. Through global projects and continuous education, KONE R&D centers develop innovative experts with a vast range of knowledge and know-how. KONE also works actively to share information and experience within the KONE community. As an end result of the innovative R&D KONE creates breakthrough solutions that set new standards for the industry.
High rise Laboratory
KONE has over 30 elevator test shafts where all innovations are put to the test. The most impressive test center is the KONE High-rise laboratory. This is the tallest test facility in the world and a remarkable innovation in itself, located 333 meters underground in the Tytyri mine in Lohja, Finland. It is the only shaft in the world where elevators with speeds up to 17 m/s (56 ft/s) can be tested. The mineshaft is a living underground community with an intricate network of shafts, transportation routes and tunnels. This network enables the safe and efficient installation of elevator testing equipment.