The Elevators at the CIIE: Smart and Green Technologies Empowering High-Quality Development of Vertical Transportation

In November 2025, the 8th China International Import Expo (hereinafter referred to as "CIIE") was successfully held in Shanghai. As a key platform for global technical exchanges and showcasing achievements in the elevator industry, this year’s CIIE featured prominent brands such as TKE, OTIS, KONE, and Schindler Elevator in Hall 4.1 of the Technical Equipment Exhibition Area. These companies jointly unveiled a series of innovative technologies and solutions that integrate AI intelligence, IoT, green energy efficiency, and age-friendly designs, fully highlighting the industry’s forward momentum toward the transformation into "smart vertical transportation." Through the collaborative "Exhibitor-to-Investor" model, the event injected fresh momentum into China’s urban development and industrial upgrading.

The participating brands have achieved remarkable technological innovations.

This year's CIIE Elevator Exhibition is themed "Smart Innovation, Green Sustainability," with participating brands showcasing technological breakthroughs and practical applications centered around the full lifecycle management of elevators, highlighting a diverse and dynamic landscape of innovation.

Otis: Elevating Innovation Through the Fusion of Intelligence and Humanity. Otis debuts its innovative Gen3™ Comfort smart elevator and other cutting-edge products at Booth C5-01 in Hall 4.1. Designed to align with the "quality home" construction standards, this elevator features integrated accessibility solutions, age-friendly enhancements, and child- and pet-friendly design elements. It also boasts a spacious cabin layout, equipped with interactive buttons and a sterilizing ventilation system, ensuring both safety and enhanced comfort. Simultaneously unveiled is the upgraded Smart Cab II super-cabin version, offering personalized designs and an intelligent lighting system to meet the bespoke elevator needs of high-net-worth clients. Additionally, Otis’ AI-powered smart concierge service—Otis AI Agent—leverages advanced digital infrastructure to enable real-time monitoring of elevator conditions and deliver tailored services, accelerating the transformation of elevators from mere transportation tools into "intelligent service hubs."

Schindler: Robots and digital technologies are driving transformation. Schindler (China) is showcasing seven core innovations at its over 300-square-meter booth in Hall 4.1, Booth B3-04. The world’s first elevator installation robot, Schindler R.I.S.E, makes its public debut—this cutting-edge system integrates building digital models with machine learning algorithms to automate tasks such as drilling and bolt installation. Already deployed at Shanghai Xujiahui Center and Guangzhou International Cultural Center, the technology has boosted installation efficiency by more than 40%. Meanwhile, the intelligent maintenance system leverages IoT technology to continuously monitor operational data in real time, enabling precise fault prediction and proactive maintenance—significantly reducing downtime. Additionally, the Schindler MetaCore concept model reimagines elevator group layouts, offering flexible support for adapting building functions and playing a key role in urban renewal and sustainable development initiatives. During the exhibition, Schindler signed agreements with six prominent companies, including Shanghai Airport Group and China State Construction Fourth Bureau, covering projects spanning equipment installation, maintenance, and renovation services, further strengthening its localized service capabilities.

TKE and KONE: Focusing on Green and Smart Ecosystems. TKE (ThyssenKrupp Elevator) highlights its advanced energy-efficient and digital maintenance technologies. Their elevator products, equipped with a new-generation energy-saving module, leverage breakthroughs in permanent-magnet synchronous motors and energy-feedback technology, reducing energy consumption by up to 30% compared to conventional models. Meanwhile, KONE Elevator showcases its "Smart Building Ecosystem," featuring a destination-based reservation system and intelligent group control technology. These innovations utilize AI algorithms to optimize scheduling, significantly cutting down waiting times—and perfectly tailored to meet the demands of ultra-high-rise buildings and large transportation hubs.

Xizi, Xio, and Sanrong: Innovation Driven by Local Needs. Xizi Elevator and Xio Elevator are focusing on the "Urban Renewal" policy, launching innovative solutions to retrofit aging elevators. Xizi Elevator’s “Integrated Old-Elevator Upgrade Package” combines intelligent control systems with advanced safety features, significantly enhancing performance while reducing energy consumption. Meanwhile, Xio Elevator’s retrofitting solution features a lightweight, modular design that not only shortens installation timelines but also minimizes disruption to residents’ daily lives. Meanwhile, Sanrong Elevator is deeply rooted in specialized medical applications, showcasing its dedicated medical elevator control system equipped with cutting-edge features such as emergency leveling and sterile cabin designs—meeting the stringent reliability and hygiene standards essential for healthcare environments.

Elevator component suppliers face both opportunities and challenges.

Exhibiting brands' technological innovations are driving the elevator components market toward a transformation characterized by "high-end, intelligent, and customized" offerings. As a result, the competitive landscape in core component areas—such as displays, destination lights, and buttons—is undergoing significant changes, prompting component suppliers to accelerate their technological upgrades to keep pace with industry trends.

Intelligent demands are driving the iterative evolution of accessory technologies. Technologies such as Otis's Gen3™ Comfort interactive buttons and Schindler's smart interactive interfaces are prompting accessory manufacturers to shift from traditional hardware production toward becoming "providers of human-machine interaction solutions." Conventional mechanical buttons are gradually being replaced by touch-based and sensor-enabled smart buttons, while displays equipped with gesture recognition and voice-control features are now becoming standard in high-end elevators. For instance, Schindler's customized escalator displays require accessory manufacturers to possess both software programming capabilities and content customization expertise, posing a significant technological challenge for small- and medium-sized hardware suppliers.

Supply chain integration is boosting industry concentration. Leading elevator companies are prioritizing collaborations with component suppliers that possess simultaneous R&D capabilities to ensure the high-quality implementation of their technologies. For instance, Otis’s AI-powered smart butler system places stringent demands on sensor data accuracy, prompting component suppliers to upgrade their production processes and quality-control systems. This trend is accelerating the consolidation within the component industry, as companies equipped with IoT integration, data encryption, and other advanced technologies gain a competitive edge. Meanwhile, small- and medium-sized manufacturers lacking robust technological reserves face the growing risk of shrinking market share.

Customized demand is reshaping the accessory supply model. As elevator manufacturers increasingly pursue differentiated products, accessory customization has become a key competitive advantage. For instance, Otis’s Smart Cab II super cabin features a customizable display interface, while Schindler’s MetaCore system allows for adaptable station-lighting structures—both presenting opportunities for accessory companies with flexible production capabilities to seize the high-end market by offering “one-on-one” tailored solutions. However, customization also places higher demands on suppliers, requiring them not only to shorten their R&D response times but also to develop robust production capabilities for small-batch, multi-batch manufacturing.

Industry Trends and Future Outlook

From the exhibits at this year's China International Import Expo, it’s clear that AI, IoT, robotics, and elevator technology are deeply converging. Looking ahead, elevators will increasingly integrate into smart building ecosystems, seamlessly connecting with security, fire protection, and energy management systems—and ultimately becoming a vital component of urban digital twin frameworks. Moreover, starting in 2025, the renovation and replacement of aging residential elevators will be included within the scope of support from the central government’s ultra-long-term special national bonds. This initiative is expected to unlock demand for over one million elevator upgrades over the next three to five years. Elevator manufacturers must accelerate the development of cost-effective, yet highly reliable retrofit solutions, while component suppliers should proactively design specialized intelligent upgrade modules tailored for older elevators, enabling them to capitalize on these policy-driven opportunities and expand their market presence.

"Exhibitors turning into investors" has become a regular feature at the CIIE, as international brands like Otis and Schindler ramp up their R&D and production investments in China, driving the localization and implementation of cutting-edge technologies. Looking ahead, Chinese and foreign enterprises will deepen collaboration in areas such as technology development and supply-chain integration, positioning China’s elevator market as a global testing ground for technological innovation and application. Meanwhile, local brands will leverage the CIIE platform to accelerate their international expansion. This year’s elevator exhibition area at the CIIE highlights the industry’s innovative achievements and future growth directions, offering practical pathways for high-quality development in the vertical transportation sector. With the dual momentum of technological innovation and supportive policies, the elevator industry will continue advancing toward greater efficiency, safety, and sustainability—providing robust support for China’s urban development and improving people’s livelihoods.