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KONE 2013 | CORPOR ATE RESPONSIBILIT Y REPORT
INNOVATIONS
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Turning to the public
Great ideas and innovations often spur
from seemingly small observations
in real-life situations. One way KONE
gathers these important insights is
through the annually organized People
Flow Day. The KONE researchers-for-a-
day observe people’s movements and
use of the equipment in different types
of buildings, and interview customers.
The valuable data obtained during
the event is passed on to KONE’s R&D
teams, who use it to develop new
solutions. In 2013, the emphasis of
research was on safety.
core of KONE UltraRope has an exceptionally
long lifetime – twice as long as those of
conventional steel ropes. The super-light KONE
UltraRope technology provides unrivalled
elevator eco-efficiency, reliability and durability,
while also improving elevator performance.
Many buildings will be kept moving with KONE
People Flow Intelligence solutions. This new suite
of smart solutions is designed to guide building
visitors and tenants effectively and smoothly from
front entrance to desired destination, while at
the same time improving building security. The
KONE People Flow Intelligence portfolio includes
four product areas: access control, destination
guidance, information communication, and
equipment monitoring.
Better cities for aging population
People are living longer due to enhanced living
standards and improved medical care. During
the next 40 years the share of over 60-year-olds
will increase to over 30% in the OECD*. As
populations age, demand for accessible, safe
and convenient People Flow solutions increase.
As an innovative company, KONE is constantly
looking for better modernization solutions for
our customers and their tenants. Cities – namely
buildings and transportation hubs – need to be
designed and built in a way that enables elderly
persons to move around easily.
For example in Europe, it is estimated that
more than four million residential buildings of
over three floors’ height are without elevators.
This makes it very challenging for elderly
people to leave their homes. An environment
where it is easy and safe to move around also
makes it possible for elderly to live at their
homes longer, instead of moving to nursing
homes. This improves the quality of life, and
might also mean substantial savings for society.
Many ways to improve accessibility
As our population matures, the buildings we
depend on also grow older. In Europe, more than
half of the elevators in use are over 20 years old
and in need of modernization. Modernization
increases safety and accessibility. For example
by modernizing an elevator, the space inside the
car can increase by even up to 50%. This makes
it easier to access the elevator with a wheelchair
or a walker. Reduction of energy consumption is
another benefit. Over time, a new elevator will
save up to 70 percent.
Design of an elevator affects the user experience,
including accessibility. Mirrors make it easier
to reverse to and out of an elevator with a
wheelchair; handrails give support in moving
around, and braille signalization makes
operating the elevator easy for people with
failing eyesight.
5 easy ways to improve accessibility
by modernizing an elevator
1.
The space inside the car can be increased by as
much as 50%
2.
Wide opening doors make it easier to enter with
a wheelchair or a baby stroller
3.
Accessibility can be improved by installing
accessories such as handrails and a mirror
4.
Braille signalizations and audible
announcements are available for people with
hearing and vision impairments
5.
An elevator can be installed in a building
previously without one, in the stairwell or
attached to an outside wall
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*OECD (Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development) Demographic and Labor Force database