SciFi Inspired Technologies Becoming Real; Turbolift

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the introduction of the turbolift, a new type of ropeless lift developed by ThyssenKrupp, which utilizes magnetic levitation technology. Participants explore its potential applications, user experience, and engineering implications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express excitement about the implementation of the turbolift and its potential to revolutionize vertical transportation.
  • There is a question regarding whether users will notice any differences in their experience with the new technology.
  • One participant emphasizes the engineering perspective, noting the lift's ability to function at arbitrary heights and the improvements in a technology that has seen little change over time.
  • Another participant speculates that users might experience a smoother ride with the new system.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express enthusiasm for the technology, but there is no consensus on the user experience or the specific differences it may bring compared to traditional lifts.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions about the user experience and the specific improvements over existing lift technologies.

jackwhirl
Messages
233
Reaction score
152
In tech news, ThyssenKrupp has invented the turbolift.


WIRED said:
The Multi is the first ropeless lift, built using the same magnetic levitation technology used in Japan's bullet train and proposed for the Hyperloop. In the same way the train slides along a track horizontally, the lift travels both vertically, horizontally and diagonally around a building riding an electromagnetic field, a system known as a linear drive.
I'm excited to see it implemented. Hopefully it won't take too long to catch on. Unfortunately, I'm not often in buildings tall enough to benefit from this technology.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Bandersnatch
Computer science news on Phys.org
jackwhirl said:
I'm excited to see it implemented.
From an engineering perspective or as a user? Would the user notice anything different?
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
From an engineering perspective or as a user? Would the user notice anything different?
That's an interesting dichotomy. I'm going to have to say the engineering perspective. I like that it will be functional to arbitrary heights. I also like that they're improving on a facet of the tech that hasn't seen a lot of change in a long time.
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
Would the user notice anything different?

one would hope that it may be a smoother ride ? :smile: