MULTI, the world’s first rope-less, horizontal-vertical elevator system

german elevator specialist thyssenkrupp has unveiled MULTI, the world’s first rope-less horizontal-vertical elevator system. first introduced in 2014—producing both enthusiasm and incredulity—MULTI offers multiple cabins operating in loop, like a metro system inside a building. without the use of cables, MULTI runs on a safe multi-level brake system and redundant wireless data and energy management on the cars. the first fully functional unit has been successfully tested at thyssenkrupp’s test tower in rottweil, germany while european real estate business OVG real estate announced they would be MULTI’s first customer, installing the elevators in the new east side tower building in berlin.

MULTI offers multiple cabins operating in loop that run both vertically and horizontally
all images by thyssenkrupp

as our cities continue to grow and buildings get larger and taller to accommodate more people, planners and architects face significant challenges around moving people comfortably and quickly to their destinations. the MULTI elevator can achieve up to 50% higher transport capacity and reduce peak power demand by as much as 60% when compared to conventional elevator systems. these two factors mean a dramatic improvement for high-rise buildings. additionally, since MULTI can move sideways as well as vertically, and without height limitations, it enables unprecedented possibilities in the architecture and design of buildings.

the elevator moves without the use of ropes on a safe multi-level brake system

MULTI requires fewer and smaller shafts than conventional elevators and can increase the building’s usable area by up to 25%, representing extra revenues from the additional rentable/leasable space. this is particularly important considering current elevator-escalator footprints can occupy 40% of a high-rise building’s floor space, depending on the building height. the MULTI requires dramatically lower peak power permitting a better management of the building’s energy needs, consequently reducing the investment costs in the power supply infrastructure.

MULTI can increase the building’s usable area by up to 25%

according to antony wood, executive director of CTBUH (council on tall buildings and urban habitat): ‘this is perhaps the biggest development in the elevator industry since the invention of the safety elevator some 165 years ago. the ‘holy grail’ of elevators has been to move beyond being pulled vertically by a rope under tension — towards a system that allows movement in inclined or horizontal directions. MULTI, more than any other product delivered to day, really shows the way forward for that potential. this has the capacity to transform the industry at large, changing the way tall buildings are designed, and allowing for much more efficient core designs, as well as better connectivity in buildings.’

the MULTI elevator can achieve up to 50% higher transport capacity

testing MULTI elevator scale model 1:3

without height limitations, it enables unprecedented possibilities in the architecture and design of buildings