The Levytator

The Levytator is the world's first escalator capable of following freeform curves. It has been developed by Jack Levy, an Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering at City University London.

This video shows a working model and computer simulations.

Unlike traditional escalator designs, where redundant steps move underneath those in use, the Levytator uses a continuous loop of curved modules, so the cost per usable step is reduced. The steps can follow any path upwards, flatten and straighten out, and descend once more, all with passengers on board.

With the Levytator, architects are able to create escalators in whatever shape they want -- as a ride around a theme park or on top of an existing staircase, for example.

The Levytator has been patented in the UK, Europe, the USA and China, and City University London is now seeking partnerships with architects and manufacturers to take this exciting innovation to market.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• electronics
• vehicle

[hayesj23]

BUT DOES IT BLEND??

[JPizzle1122]

I'm not gonna lie - I doodled the concept of a "spiral escalator" in math class about 10 years ago...

This idea looks very similar to what I had envisioned. Hopefully it takes off.

[irelandbloke]

Cool

[Fortune66]

@kfki different technology, steps are different, in case of some error you just need to replace one step not the whole escalator ;)

[kfki]

all that speech and explanation! it's just a damn escalator with curves!!! oooo new technology!

[moover123]

I like to have one in a shopping centre near me -.- ^^

[Homerboy44]

@Luciferminusone i do kinda like it bit and yah, i know that bots done the suggestions.

[Luciferminusone]

@nothingtodo225 Meet Gorge Jetson! His son Elroy! His Daughter Jane! :George puts Elroay and Jane on a transporter thing to take them to their respective schools:  :Jetson goes to work which he parks then puts his car in the briefcase and takes the levytator to his office where he sees his boss:

[Luciferminusone]

@Homerboy44 That's YouTube robots for you: Do you like it? I wish YouTube was it's own site again instead of being bought out by the big G.

[Luciferminusone]

I went there with my parents in the 90s: We were living up in the mountains of northern California so it was really weird to see ANY escalators let alone curved ones.

My first escalator ride was Arden Fair Mall in Sacramento.

[Luciferminusone]

You'd come out from the subway into the bottom of the mall and I was amazed seeing these curved escalators going up gosh it was like 8 stories.

There was a neat bookstore that was 3 stories but very small space so it was split level with it's own in store escalator/stairs but we were there within 10 mins of closing so not much time to explore. :(

I was SO mad.

[sujiro]

looks exactly the same of those automatic mats at airports where you get your luggage back, except that these are not flat.

[adhchopper]

That's cool...

[mosadi85]

Wooow... It changed my life!

[RandomDirectors]

Yesterday I went to a city university event for the first time... on the way there I had this idea (not how to make it but just the general idea)

Today I found out about zen magnets and by clicking around I randomly ended up on this video!!!

What a strange coincidence!!!

[TehShwayze]

A ride around a theme park? Can you say ESCALATOR LAND?!

[nothingtodo225]

its the jetsons floor thing!

[Homerboy44]

why is this on the "Suggestions" column to music from a game?

[DavidChan1746]

@SuperHardHat1

It is easy to make these assertions. Can you refer me to the standards documents or is it just hot air my friend?

[sumomokpa]

I look just like belt-conveyor sushi

[SuperHardHat1]

@DavidChan1746 Hi David. EN 115 (The European standard for escalators and moving walks) requires the step riser cleats. No safety concious orgonisation would do without them.

[SuperHardHat1]

@DavidChan1746 

[SuperHardHat1]

@DavidChan1746 Hi David. Have you read EN 115? (The European standard for escalators and moving walks)

There you will find the requirements for cleated risers. No escalators. to my knowledge, are currently installed without them. This has been the case for quite a few years! I have a video showing footwear caught in the area. In Australia I used to Chair the standard for these systems!

[SuperHardHat1]

@DavidChan1746 Hi David. Have you read EN 115 (The European standard for escalators and moving walks?

There you will find the requirements for cleated risers. No escalators. to my knowledge, are currently installed without them. This has been the case for quite a few years! I have a video showing footwear caught in the area. In Australia I used to Chair the standard for these systems!

[DavidChan1746]

@SuperHardHat1

This is untrue as most escalators are not fluted as you suggest but are smooth as in the Levytator design. Please give references as to your claims as I believe the 10,000 accidents caused by entrapment is at the sides not between steps.