Fastest elevator for Shanghai Tower

Mitsubishi Electric Corp has developed what it claims is the world’s fastest elevator  featuring a speed of 1,230 metres a minute (approximately 45.9 miles per hour). The company will apply the new technology to an elevator in the 632-metre-high Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in China and the second-tallest in the world.

For the new technology, Mitsubishi Electric first developed a winding machine and a control panel to enhance operation and controllability.

To improve ride quality, the elevator comes with a dedicated active roller guide that prevents rolling caused by curved rails and wind pressure. The elevator car has a streamlined wind-resistant cover that can reduce wind generated around the car. And it is equipped with a device that controls air pressure in the car to reduce discomfort caused by ear pain etc.

Mitsubishi Electric will apply the new technology to one of the three elevators connected to the observation floor of Shanghai Tower in consideration of the height required for the hoistway. The elevator moves at a speed of 1,080 metres per minute or 1,230 metres per minute in accordance with usage situation. It takes about 53 seconds to move from the second basement floor to the 119th floor (the observation floor) at the fastest rate.