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Smart Lifts: Elevator Software - Indeema’s Case Study

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Short Overview

The Lift Consultancy stands as a leading force in the vertical transportation consultancy sector within the UK, adeptly managing projects that span lift modernization, refurbishment, replacement, survey and reports, and portfolio management. As a forward-looking organization, The Lift Consultancy is always looking for innovative ways to assist their clients with their vertical transportation needs. To this end with their partner Indeema, they have developed the LiftEnergy+ IoT device that accurately monitors lift energy consumption, number of trips and reliability.

Project Details

  • Industry: High-Tech, Smart Home, Smart Office, Energy
  • Services: IoT Development, R&D Services, MVP Development, UI/UX Design, Mobile App Development, Android App Development, iOS App Development, IoT App Development, IoT Consulting Services, Web Development, Back End Development, Front End Development, Database Development, DevOps Services, Cloud Software Development, Dedicated Team, Tech Advisory
  • Lifetime: 2021 - Ongoing
  • Client's Location: London, UK

Project background

The client's company wanted to offer a new service to help understand the energy consumption of elevators, the reliability and the usage patterns. They wanted a device to accurately record, in real-time these characteristics.

What was the customer's request?

  • The project began by creating an IoT device and setting up its cloud infrastructure. This device goes in the elevator motor room next to a three-phase power meter. It collects data on how much energy the elevator system uses, including active and reactive energy, when the elevator starts and stops and if connected to the Out of Service Signal from the control panel, it can tell when the elevator is in and out of service.
What was the customer's request?

What did the client already have?

  • The client requested an IoT system to gather data from various elevators, each with its unique characteristics. They specified incorporating specific IoT features to maximize system efficiency. The development team also needed to consider the system's scalability for potential growth in the Internet of Things industry.
  • Our team received a detailed breakdown of all the events during a lift trip, including doors opening and closing, lift movement, and braking. Additionally, we had the opportunity to review the elevator's electrical system. Once familiar with these details, we began designing the measurement and monitoring components of the IoT solution.
What did the client already have?

Solution we delivered

Where did we start?

The project started with a deep dive into business analysis, pinpointing key features for the IoT device and its web portal. This step was vital to create a product that empowers the customer to provide outstanding services for elevator energy usage and efficiency. This groundwork laid the foundation for a solution that's not just tech-savvy but also in line with what the market and customers want.

  • Requirements phase

    During requirements analysis, we explored market needs, potential user experience improvements, and the technical essentials for a powerful and user-friendly solution. We also considered how to integrate advanced data analytics to offer actionable insights into energy usage patterns. This helps customers make informed decisions about optimizing energy and cutting costs in elevator operations.

  • Prototyping and Wireframes

    During this phase, we made a proof of concept for the IoT device. This PoC was designed and tested with a power meter and the AWS IoT Core cloud service, using basic PoC firmware. The main goal here was to check if we could accurately detect elevator trips and measure their duration using current readings.

  • Specification phase

    At this stage, we documented the project's architecture, featuring a wireless IoT device connected to AWS IoT Core for real-time data transmission. On the user's side, there is a web application and an installer app to streamline the IoT device setup. Smart elevator technology should provide insightful analytics and effective data management to optimize the functionality of smart lifts.

Where did we start?

Our Development Process

  • Firmware/Embedded Development

    The firmware development started with a FreeRTOS base. The team built an embedded software framework using C++ and the ESP-IDF SDK on top of it. This framework includes connectivity features and integrates essential business logic for detecting elevator trips and logging out-of-service periods. It's also set up to support Over-The-Air (OTA) updates through both LTE and Wi-Fi networks. This helps to keep the software current and functional across different communication platforms.

  • Hardware

    For the hardware design, we chose an integrated module that combines a Wi-Fi-enabled MCU and an LTE modem to provide alternative connectivity options. Additionally, the system also incorporates out-of-service signal detection circuitry, which is compatible with various lift systems. It also includes an RS-485 adapter that enables data transfer between the MCU's UART and an energy meter.

  • UX/UI Design

    Responding to the users' needs, our design team created wireframes and detailed designs for a web portal. This portal provides insightful data on elevator usage, including energy consumption metrics for each lift, total trips, periods of inactivity, and other operational stats. It was crucial to make the portal's interface user-friendly and easy to navigate for accessing the data. Now, users can make informed decisions about maintenance scheduling, energy optimization, and overall efficiency improvements.

  • WEB Development

    The web development started right after designing, using Node.js, Strapi, Hapi for the back-end, and Angular for the front-end. We first built a strong backend with Node.js, known for efficiently handling multiple tasks, perfect for the real-time analytics the portal needs. Within this Node.js setup, we integrated Strapi, a headless CMS, to manage content creation. This makes it easy to update and maintain elevator reporting software without changing the back-end. On the frontend, Angular gave us a powerful platform to develop a dynamic and responsive web application. The team added interactive data visualizations and real-time updates. These features are crucial for displaying complex analytics, such as energy usage and operational statistics, in an accessible way.

  • DevOps and Cloud Development

    In this IoT project, integrating DevOps and Cloud Development was crucial for handling diverse technology stacks. The embedded pipeline, focusing on C++ and the ESP-IDF SDK, used automated testing and OTA updates. Mobile development for iOS and Android had streamlined pipelines for efficient app testing and deployment. The web component, using Node.js, Strapi, Hapi, and Angular, used Docker for consistency and AWS for scalable cloud hosting. Real-time monitoring and cloud services created a cohesive, agile, and responsive development environment.

  • Maintainance

    For long-term reliability, the Indeema team continues to maintain the entire project. For example, we perform regular firmware updates using Over-The-Air (OTA) for the embedded IoT devices. This ensures the devices always run the latest software with necessary security patches and performance improvements. It is also planned to develop mobile apps for iOS and Android using Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android, both of which have been chosen for their modern features and strong support. The mobile apps will turn a well-thought-out installer flow into clear instructions and easy controls.

The Team Involved In The Project

Project Manager

1

Embedded Engineers

2

Hardware Engineer

1

Web Developers

2

Business Analyst

1

QA Engineer

1

Tech Lead

1

Project Challenges And Our Suggestions

  • Adaptive Threshold Correction Algorithms:

    Challenges emerged at the measurement level due to diverse starting currents in lifts. To accurately detect trips across various elevator types, we implemented adaptive threshold correction algorithms. These algorithms analyze the lift's operating characteristics and dynamically adjust trip detection thresholds, ensuring accuracy.

  • Efficient Data Transfer:

    At the system level, optimizing data transfer efficiency and ensuring secure device management were critical. To enhance traffic efficiency, we used data compression techniques and smart data batching strategies, reducing transmitted data volume without compromising quality.

  • Secure Device Management:

    For secure device management, robust encryption protocols and strict authentication mechanisms were integrated, ensuring protection against unauthorized access. Regular security updates and remote device management capabilities were also implemented for system integrity.

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Impact

The IoT system provides significant business value for both the client and end-users.

  • It enables the reduction of unnecessary elevator trips and minimizes downtime by giving accurate information about usage and energy consumption.

  • Elevator management software such as the web portal and mobile apps helps building managers and maintenance personnel make quick, informed decisions. This improves service and makes occupants more satisfied overall.

  • By using cutting-edge IoT technology and adaptive algorithms, the client has become a leader in the field of smart solutions for efficient vertical transportation.

Before And After Cooperation With Indeema

Before:

  • A well-thought-out idea for elevator software and clear requirements for an IoT system to manage the efficiency of vertical transportation in buildings.

After:

  • Indeema team developed a comprehensive IoT system for elevators, addressing specific needs of the client.

  • Developed a dynamic web portal with user-friendly interface and analytics.

  • Implemented real-time monitoring and cloud services for a responsive development environment.

  • Established a maintenance plan with regular firmware updates for long-term reliability of smart lifts

Technical Highlights

Technologies

RS485

KiCAD

C/C++

Platform IO framework

OTA DFU

Modbus protocol

MQTT over TLS

HTTPS

AWS IoT Core

Node.js

Strapi

Hapi

Angular

Mongo DB

Redis

Amazon S3

Gitlab

Linter

Sonar

Silicons

ESP32 SoC

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