The Car Operating Panel (COP) is the control interface inside the elevator cabin from which passengers select destination floors, request door open/close, activate alarm, and access emergency communication.
Full Definition
The COP panel integrates floor call buttons, a door open/close button, an alarm button, an emergency lighting indicator, and (in most modern installations) a cabin display showing floor position and direction. In accessible-design lifts per EN 81-70, the COP must include Braille floor designations, raised tactile numerals, and buttons centred at 900–1200 mm above the finished floor. Voice announcement capability is mandatory in some jurisdictions. Premium COPs include touch-screen interfaces, destination-entry keypads for destination dispatch systems, card readers for access control, and USB charging ports. The COP is connected to the elevator controller via CAN bus, LIN bus, or direct wiring; data includes button press events, load-weighing data (if integrated into the panel base), and intercom calls. Surface finishes include brushed stainless steel, powder-coated steel, and custom decorative plates to match cabin design.
