Digital door systems and user information in modern elevator construction

In everyday life, lifts are usually perceived as mere means of transport. Doors are considered functional components whose task is limited to opening, closing and safety. However, with the increasing digitalisation of buildings, this view is also changing.

Door systems are evolving into interfaces between technology, users and information. This is precisely where new concepts come in, combining functionality, communication and sustainability. Meiller has been active on the market since the 1960s and emerged from the Rathgeber company. The Munich location is still the headquarters of the administration and also the production facility for sliding doors. As a lift component manufacturer, the focus is on door systems and drives that are used in various segments of the lift industry. The long specialisation in this area also shapes current developments.

From component to digital interface

One example of this change is the so-called digital door station. This is a sliding door designed as a shaft door and equipped with two integrated displays. These displays are not decorative accessories, but part of an information and entertainment concept. They can be used to display content that is either informative or commercial in nature. In an example application from the hotel sector, one display shows an advertising video of the hotel, while the second display automatically shows information about offers, services or events. This provides users with additional content while they wait in front of the lift car or in the lift itself. The waiting time is subjectively shortened, and at the same time an additional communication channel is created.

User experience at the heart of development

The aim of this solution is not to turn lifts into advertising spaces, but to make the waiting time more pleasant. Short periods of downtime occur regularly, especially in hotels, office buildings and public facilities. These can be used to provide orientation or highlight offers without actively disturbing the user. The door thus becomes part of the user experience. Information is placed where it can be seen without having to install additional displays in the building. At the same time, the primary function of the door remains unrestricted. Safety, reliability and mechanical quality remain the top priorities.

Retrofitting instead of complete replacement

A central aspect of current developments is sustainability. New door systems are not designed exclusively for new buildings, but specifically for the modernisation of existing installations. Instead of replacing entire lifts, existing door systems can be retrofitted and technically upgraded. This approach conserves resources and significantly reduces the use of materials. Steel and other materials used in existing installations are retained. At the same time, the technical status of the installation is improved. Modernisation thus becomes an alternative to complete replacement and contributes to extending the service life of lifts.

Digital content via content management systems

The integrated displays are controlled via a content management system. In this case, a system is used that automatically controls and updates content. Images, videos or information pages can be managed centrally and played back on a time-controlled basis. The content is changed automatically without any manual intervention on the system. For operators, this means less organisational effort. Content can be adapted without disrupting ongoing operations. At the same time, different target groups can be addressed in a targeted manner, such as hotel guests, employees or visitors. The door thus becomes a flexible communication medium within the building. Typical features of the digital door concept include:

• Integrated displays directly in the lift door
• Combination of information and entertainment content
• Automated content control via a central system
• Retrofitting of existing door systems
• Reduction of waiting times through visual content

Quality as a constant benchmark

Regardless of additional digital functions, mechanical quality remains crucial. Door systems are among the most heavily used components of a lift. They must function reliably, operate quietly and close securely. The digital enhancement does not replace these requirements, but rather complements them. Meiller therefore combines classic door technology with new digital possibilities. Development follows an evolutionary approach in which existing systems are further developed and technically supplemented. The door remains a safety-relevant component, but is given additional functions that increase its utility value.

Lifts as part of networked buildings

The concepts described show how lift components can be integrated into networked building structures. Doors not only perform a mechanical function, but also become part of an information system. In times of increasing digitalisation of hotels, office buildings and public facilities, this is creating a new understanding of lift technology. Meiller positions itself in this environment as a supplier that further develops traditional lift components without losing sight of their core function. The combination of door system, digital information and sustainable modernisation illustrates how technical development in lift construction can look without radically replacing existing structures.