Inside the IQC Part Three: Research and Development Lab

Standing tall amongst the clouds and overlooking the Battery Atlanta is the tallest building in Cobb County, TK Elevator’s very own test tower. But testing isn’t the only thing happening inside the Innovation and Qualification Center (IQC). The building is also home to International Technical Services, an interactive digital showroom, our research and development lab and more.

We have continued to move beyond and push limits by furthering elevator evolution & innovation through our intensive testing. The years of research and development that we have under our belt have given us advanced technology and products that aid in building iconic cities and skylines.

Elevator Evolution & Innovation

The elevator has come a long way from being seen as just a way to lift heavy materials. Since the invention of the passenger elevator, it has become the safest form of transportation by far. Yes, this includes even walking down the street. Elevators are made with safety in mind first and foremost.

Once the passenger elevator became widely popular across the globe, elevator evolution and innovation took over. What if an elevator could travel horizontally? What if you could press a button on your phone to have an elevator waiting for you when you arrive in the lobby?

Even if you’ve never ask these questions, they’ve already been answered by TK Elevator engineers. There is no limit when it comes to new elevator technology or digital solutions for the public; we always strive to make our ideas a reality. We know that elevators have come a long way from being debuted in 1853, but we believe they can go further. That’s why our engineers work hard to continue to evolve the current standard of elevators.

In order to create a space where elevator innovation can thrive and ideas can be tested to their full potential, the IQC unveiled its own research and development lab.

The Research and Development Lab

We wanted our North American headquarters to reflect our desires to be at the forefront of innovation, so we built an entire space dedicated solely to R&D. This is the lab where our experienced engineers can develop exciting products like TWIN — the world’s first elevator system with two cabs operating independently in one shaft — which transports visitors to the IQC today.

The elevator test tower also houses a global network of elevator technicians and engineers, International Technical Services (ITS), who utilize the lab as part of their mission to discover the latest trends in service and repair. Learning these new techniques helps to extend the lifetime of an elevator and aids technicians in discovering faster ways to perform maintenance. This is done through utilizing top-of-the-line technology like controller simulators that allow engineers to test the brains of an elevator without having to move the cab.

The research and development lab has become a vital piece of the IQC. As TK Elevator continues to pursue knowledge in the world of vertical transportation, we are proud to support our engineers by providing the state-of-the-art labs they need to develop the vertical transportation methods of the future.Learn more about the products we offer today or to continue reading about IQC.