low graphics version | feedback | help
| Front Page World UK UK Politics |
| Business |
|
Market Data Economy Companies E-Commerce Your Money Business Basics |
| Sci/Tech Health Education Sport Entertainment Talking Point In Depth AudioVideo |
Coming soon: The e-levator
Otis is hoping for a lift from the world of dot com |
The world's largest lift maker is to introduce a new model linked to the internet from early next year.
Otis Elevator Company is joining forces with Next Generation Network (NGN) and IBM to provide a broad range of internet-based content to elevator passengers.
Otis says it is likely to include world, national and local news, local weather, traffic reports, sports scores, and information about the building in which the lift operates.
 The first true global application of internet technology inside an elevator  |
| Stephen Page, Otis |
The development means that those who use the million Otis lifts across the world will also be targets for advertising on the e*Display screens inside the elevators.
The development highlights again the speed of the internet's spread, with ever fewer areas of day-to-day life now escaping its clutches.
Other recent examples include Electrolux and Ericsson signing a deal to start production of internet linked fridges and other domestic appliances.
Industry set to change
Meanwhile mobile phones will soon allow high quality surfing on the move.
Otis President Stephen F. Page said the three companies would "provide the first true global application of internet technology inside an elevator".
Otis has also announced that customers will be able to monitor the performance of their elevators and escalators online.
"Elisha Graves Otis invented the safety elevator in 1853, and the company he founded has been a pioneer ever since," said Mr Page.
"We now extend this tradition of innovation into cyberspace. Our industry will change, and Otis will lead the way."
The e*Display service features a flat-panel screen installed inside the elevator car. The screen will feature internet-based, full-motion, full-colour displays of information that change every 5-10 seconds.
Otis and NGN are in active talks with advertisers who want to reach some of the millions of people who spend part of each day riding an Otis elevator.
|
Search BBC News Online |
|
|
 Advanced search options | |
| |
 | |
 | |
| |
 | BBC RADIO NEWS |
| |
| |
 | BBC ONE TV NEWS |
| |
| |
| WORLD NEWS SUMMARY |
| |
| |
| |
| |
 | PROGRAMMES GUIDE |
|
|
See also: |
|
 |
|
 |
25 Oct 99 | The Company File |
|
IT calls home |
| |
|
|
01 Nov 99 | The Economy |
|
Visions of business in the 21st Century |
| |
|
|
Internet links: |
|
|
|
|
|
Otis |
| |
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites |
|
Links to other Business stories are at the foot of the page.
E-mail this story to a friend
~RS~a~RS~international~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~43~RS~)