How are smart lifts revolutionising senior living in Thailand?

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Mitsubishi elevators propagate inclusivity and enhance accessibility for people in ageing societies through bleeding-edge, well-designed vertical transportation technologies

Elevators have advanced in unrecognisable ways over the decades and taken humankind from the age of stairways to that of smart technology. As cities multiply and grow denser and taller, elevators embed themselves deeper into civilisation-wide transformation by providing enhanced accessibility, convenience, and independence for people of all ages.

With age comes decreasing mobility and an increasing risk of debilitating accidents. In Thailand, people aged 60 years and above currently account for approximately 18% of the population. This figure is expected to increase to around 28% by the next decade and make the nation a “super-aged society.”

Navigating a multi-storey building can pose significant challenges to elderly individuals and differently abled people. Safe, dependable vertical transportation is thereby of vital importance to this demographic.

Installing an elevator addresses challenges head-on by offering reliable means of moving between floors. By accessing all areas of a residence, elders achieve a sense of independence and self-sufficiency.

As the world-leading entity on safety and quality in the elevator and escalator business, Mitsubishi Elevator (Thailand) is heavily invested in building solutions that address pressing issues like ageing and disability.

“Since Thailand is ageing fast and has become the second most aged society in ASEAN, Mitsubishi Elevator (Thailand) has been considering this market trend and we can offer the solution to fulfil customers’ needs by providing our products and friendly services to the elderly and people with disabilities for safety, comfort, and efficiency with quality products and service,” says Katsuya Kawabata, managing director of Mitsubishi Elevator (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

“We would like to contribute to create liveable cities and comfortable lives for everyone,” he adds.

Mitsubishi elevators or lifts are designed to be user-friendly, featuring intuitive controls, card readers, face scanners, and even smartphone integration. These features ease the process of using elevators for everyone, regardless of technical proficiency. They especially reduce physical strain for the elderly and differently abled persons.

Safety is paramount in the design and operation of Mitsubishi elevators. The products are equipped with advanced safety mechanisms including emergency alarms and stop buttons that allow passengers to alert others or halt the elevator in emergencies. Battery backup systems ensure the elevator operates during power outages, preventing anyone from being stranded. If an object or person is detected, multi-beam sensors automatically reopen the doors, avoiding accidental pinching. Moreover, Mitsubishi’s home-use elevators include a safety alarm system, notifying caregivers and family members if an elderly person or an individual with disabilities experiences a fall inside the elevator.

The elevators additionally feature UVC air sterilisers that utilise ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) to kill bacteria and viruses efficiently, maintaining a hygienic environment for vulnerable elders in this post-pandemic era.

Smart technology further enhances these safety features by enabling real-time monitoring and alerts, delivering peace of mind to caregivers and family members of the elderly. Modern elevators, integrated with smart systems, are no longer just luxuries but essentials in creating inclusive, future-ready living environments.

Mitsubishi delivers on this vision by allowing passengers to call the elevator or set specific floors from their smartphones. Mitsubishi elevators can also be programmed to be on specific floors at certain times or automatically descend to the ground floor when someone enters, improving efficiency and reducing wait times.

Another cutting-edge aspect of Mitsubishi elevators is their ability to detect anomalies and predict when maintenance is required, reducing downtime and accelerating response times in case of failure. Mitsubishi Elevator (Thailand) has recently introduced M’s Bridge, a sophisticated solution that monitors elevators 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year and collects and processes data through artificial intelligence (AI) systems. This level of centralised monitoring is powerful enough to predict the likelihood of sub-device failures with stunning accuracy.

Traditionally, service technicians inspect and adjust elevators as needed or only when malfunctions are detected. As a minimum, Mitsubishi’s professional technicians check equipment once a month and 12 times a year to inspect potential problems in elevator usage.

With 28 service centres throughout Thailand, Mitsubishi Elevators is ready at any time of the day to uphold long-term efficiency alongside its products, with an emphasis on satisfactory after-sales service.

Designed to be as aesthetically pleasing as they are functional, Mitsubishi elevators come in many designs and finishes that can be tailored to match the building’s décor and motifs. From contemporary designs to traditional looks, property owners can choose an elevator that fits their style. The elevator consequently looks like a seamless, indispensable part of the building.

As elements of green buildings, Mitsubishi elevators seamlessly align with today’s thrust towards sustainability. They are remarkably energy-efficient, minimising power consumption without sacrificing performance, thanks to features such as LED lighting, low-power motors, and standby modes.

Related: How Mitsubishi invests in human and artificial intelligence to improve the elevator experience

Installing an elevator can significantly enhance a property’s value especially in an ageing market such as Thailand. As the populace ages and the demand for accessible buildings rises, an elevator makes properties more marketable to potential buyers. The presence of a smart, contemporary, beautifully designed elevator demonstrates foresight and signals a commitment to accessibility.

Ageing is a phenomenon ultimately not unique to Thailand. People worldwide are living longer; for the first time in history, the global median age has climbed above 30 years. By 2030, one in six people around the world will be 60 years old and above.

In a swiftly greying world, elevators will become standard necessities in residential real estate. Incorporating them into homes is a transformative step towards creating accessible, convenient, and inclusive spaces for all occupants. When integrated with modern technology, elevators significantly improve the quality of life in one’s twilight years, all by encouraging safe ease of movement.

As technologies like artificial intelligence advance, the role of elevators in smart homes are set to expand further. They stand to offer even greater benefits, ensuring that homes are equipped to meet the needs of every individual, now and in the future.

For more information on Mitsubishi Elevator, platinum sponsor of the PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards, please visit the official site