Elevators in medium-to-high-rise buildings often waste time and energy by stopping at floors when they're already full, leading to passenger frustration and unnecessary wear on the system. This inefficiency is particularly problematic during peak hours in offices, hospitals, and residential buildings where current elevator dispatch systems don’t account for real-time occupancy.

A Smart Elevator Routing Approach

One way to address this could be by developing an intelligent control system that detects elevator occupancy in real time using weight sensors, infrared people counters, and optionally privacy-protected cameras. This system could dynamically adjust stopping behavior based on current occupancy, passenger requests, and historical traffic patterns. For users, it could display which elevators have space available via panels or mobile apps, while routing algorithms optimize stops—skipping floors when full and prioritizing elevators with room for new passengers.

Implementation and Integration

For execution, a simplified MVP might start with weight sensors and basic routing logic tested in a single elevator. A full implementation could involve robust occupancy detection, advanced algorithms, and integration with existing elevator controls. Deployment could begin with pilot buildings, eventually offering retrofit kits for widespread adoption. The system would need to address challenges like manufacturer compatibility (via adapter modules) and passenger communication (explaining skipped floors clearly).

This concept builds on existing destination dispatch systems like Schindler PORT or Otis CompassPlus but adds real-time responsiveness to actual crowding—potentially improving efficiency beyond static routing methods. The key advantage lies in adaptive learning of building-specific patterns while maintaining flexibility across different elevator brands.