An elevator equipped with gesture, voice, or proximity-based controls that allow passengers to select floors without physically touching any buttons or surfaces.
Full Definition
Touchless elevator technology emerged as a significant market focus following heightened hygiene awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Solutions include infrared proximity sensors mounted above or beside floor buttons that detect a hovering finger; voice recognition systems that respond to spoken floor numbers; foot-pedal controls; and smartphone app-based controls where the passenger sends a destination from their phone. Advanced systems use millimetre-wave radar or capacitive sensing to detect hand gestures in front of a panel. Destination dispatch integration is common, where the passenger's phone sends the floor request via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi as they approach the elevator. These features reduce surface contact and are valued in healthcare, corporate, and hospitality buildings. Multiple major manufacturers have launched touchless product lines.
