June 10, 2005—Otis Elevator Company has announced the launch of its Gen2 Comfort system, a new model with its patented flat-belt drive system technology in the Gen2 family of elevators. The Gen2 Comfort system expands the Gen2 elevator product line to better serve the residential and small-scale commercial markets while continuing to deliver the same unparalleled energy savings, reliability and supremely quiet operation of Otis’ Gen2 system, the company says.
When first introduced in Europe in 2000, the Gen2 elevator system transformed the elevator industry. Otis developed the first elevator system using a flat, polyurethane-coated steel belt to lift the elevator car, replacing conventional steel ropes that had been the industry standard for more than a century. Since 2003, when Otis completed global deployment of the Gen2 system, Otis has remained the undisputed market leader in the machine-roomless elevator market, a market that is expected to make up 90 percent of new elevator deliveries by 2020.
Now, with introduction of its Gen2 Comfort system, Otis has extended the Gen2 elevator product range beyond its current mid-rise applications, providing a highly efficient and cost-effective solution ideally suited for the low-rise residential and small-scale commercial market. Later this year, Otis will introduce additional expansions to the Gen2 family of products to meet the requirements of almost every building need, large or small, including higher speeds and duties, the company says.
The Gen2 system’s coated-steel belt, which weighs up to 20 percent less than conventional ropes, enables Otis to reduce the size of the machine required to power the elevator by about 70 percent. The smaller machine fits easily inside the elevator hoistway, eliminating the need for a costly, separate machine room in the building.
For more information, visit the Otis Web site.
