Posted on 10/01/2026 5:25:18 AM PDT by DFG
If you think the lift to the top of The Shard is a long ride, spare a thought for future visitors to Dubai's Burj Azizi.
The skyscraper will feature a staggering 2,071ft (631.5m) continuous elevator journey – the equivalent of 140 floors – making it one of the longest single lift rides on Earth.
KONE, the company behind the technology, says a new generation of AI-powered, lightweight elevators is helping make such record-breaking journeys possible.
And it said its design could one day carry passengers more than a kilometre into the sky.
‘What was once considered a futuristic vision for cities is steadily becoming reality, with skylines reaching beyond a kilometre in height,’ Philippe Delorme, President and CEO of KONE, said.
‘Multi-use buildings such as the Burj Azizi are leading the way in supertall cities, seamlessly integrating living, working, hospitality, retail, and other services.
‘KONE's new high-rise solutions are the answer to our customers’ ever-evolving urban needs and a remarkable milestone for our industry.’
While skyscrapers have transformed dramatically over the last century, most elevators still rely on the same basic traction principles developed more than 150 years ago.
That poses a major problem for architects hoping to push buildings higher into the sky.
As towers rise, the steel ropes used to lift elevator cars become increasingly heavier. Eventually their sheer weight becomes a limiting factor, with traditional systems typically topping out at around 1,600ft (500m) of travel.
To tackle the problem, KONE has combined a number of advanced technologies including wireless power transmission, wireless data transfer, AI-powered traffic management systems and ultra-lightweight hoisting ropes.
The company says the innovations will allow elevators to travel higher than ever before while using less energy and fewer construction materials.
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But what happens when the power goes out?
They’re talking about ‘The Shard’, the tallest building in London. Located near London Bridge, it’s 95 stories, and has a jagged roof line like a broken piece of glass.
I think we will be redeemed from the curse of babel by space exploration
I think we will be redeemed from the curse of babel by space exploration
I think we will be redeemed from the curse of babel by space exploration
I think we will be redeemed from the curse of babel by space exploration
Not sure I’d want to take a chance riding that puppy all the way up.
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