Maglev elevators to scare us all by 2008

After having recently been stuck in a dark elevator for over a half-hour (and requiring a fire department rescue; thank heavens our PPC-6700 was close at hand to summon help and Orb away the downtime), we're not all that jazzed up about the idea of an elevator that relies on the principal of magnetic levitation. Maglev technology has been around for years as the propulsion method behind certain European and Asian trains, and basically involves using the Physics 101 properties of magnetic attraction and repulsion to provide an object with momentum. Well we're fine if that momentum is occuring parallel to the ground, but we're a little leery of trusting some magnets to suspend us several hundred feet above terra firma (does power outage=free fall?). Seemingly unconcerned with our hesitation, Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems Corp. has announced that we'll be seeing these potential deathtraps commercially installed within the next few years, hopefully with the Otis-type hacks still fully functional.

[Kyle @ Jan 17th 2006 7:41PM]

They're building a maglev shuttle at my school...it's SO sketchy.

Check out this link:
http://www.odu.edu/af/maglev/index.html

[Johnny P @ Jan 17th 2006 7:41PM]

You can't possibly believe that anything released today would be that unsafe...nobody is allowed to release an unsafe product anymore. Nobody is willing to, either. I think this will end up like the roller coaster phobia, where people THINK it's dangerous but in reality it's quite safe. Just my $0.02.

[David Oh @ Jan 17th 2006 7:46PM]

unless you are fat. then you overload the restraining bars and fly out and land with a splat.

[ravitek @ Jan 17th 2006 7:50PM]

Will the magnetism affect anything? I'd hate to walk into an elevator and watch my phone fly out of my pocket and stick to the ceiling. Or nearby computers and whatnot?

[munboy @ Jan 17th 2006 7:50PM]

We are doing a maglev project in out design/technology class now. Fun stuff.

[Marc @ Jan 17th 2006 7:55PM]

I have one word for you:

MONORAIL! MONORAIL! MONORAIL!

[AG @ Jan 17th 2006 7:59PM]

Well, there are MAGLEV trains that run at 500 kph. It seems practical that that type of technology would spread out to other industries.
I wouldnt be surprised if MAGLEV is incorporated into the Orbital Elevator NASA is crazy over

[Simon @ Jan 17th 2006 8:08PM]

the primary motivator is far fewer moving parts. No pulleys, motors, greesy bearings or much that requires a technician. Just solidstate electronics. C'mon - you geeks can get behind that, no? Of course, just like modern cable-pully elevators, there will be fail safes. And most existing elevators, i would guess, are equipped with some means of being lowered (and raised) during a power outtage now. Why should new ones be any different.
Maybe they generate electricity during descent... would they still be counter balanced? Probably.

[Matt @ Jan 17th 2006 8:16PM]

There is a difference between geeks and yuppies, you know.

[Chris @ Jan 17th 2006 8:17PM]

Today's elevators relay on a cable system to raise and lower the elevator car. If the cable should fail, their is a series of safety braking mechanism that kick in to prevent the car from freefall. In a MagLev elevator, the cable is replaced by magnetic propulsion...I don't believe they will through away the safety braking systems. This is something that you guys should of realized before sending every clautrophobic into a panic.

[Bradly @ Jan 17th 2006 8:21PM]

I'm glad they're using this technology. As for the fears of it not working. Just remember that they will have safety actions such as brakes if anything were to happen.

Now, hopefully they will make them move left-to-right as well. "Elevator...take me to 3rd floor and all the way to the other end of the terminal at the airport please".

[Deluxe @ Jan 17th 2006 8:26PM]

As 'scary' as the concept is, I agree with #2 100%.
There's no way something of this genre that could endanger people would be released to public use anymore. Cellphones, computers, batteries, trains, planes and elevators all go through rigerous testing before they're even put into production.

Will still be in Tokyo in 2008? I'd better be, i wanna ride this biz-niatch.

[Jim @ Jan 17th 2006 8:28PM]

If they used magnetic eddy-current braking (like the "drop zone" at Great America), it would be safe as long as it was magnetic (do they use permanent magnets?). Just magnets and copper plates. If they have to be electromagnets, well, I like simple mechanical drop protection.

[Chris @ Jan 17th 2006 8:31PM]

Don't you mean physics 103?

[granny down east @ Jan 17th 2006 8:39PM]

Ravitek, #4, yeah, what an issue.
My daughter was just fitted with another, newer intracranial shunt to move spinal fluid away from the brain. Guess what- it is reprogrammed by magnetism. She cannot have an MRI because the shunt will quit working after.
So ya gotta wonder...

[Peter McCaffrey @ Jan 17th 2006 8:44PM]

I would think there would be a physical safety rope thingy attached to the top that would kick in if something goes wrong.

The whole maglev thing will probably be cheaper to make and run in the end, hence why they are developing them.

Peter

[wxrman @ Jan 17th 2006 8:49PM]

http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/115.html

I'm sure the brakes will still be there.

[Jamus @ Jan 17th 2006 8:53PM]

OK, first time poster; long time listener....
But I got to say I laughed my ass off at the "we'll be seeing these potential deathtraps commercially installed within the next few years" remark". I have been wondering about that myself for a while now!

[Alcaron @ Jan 17th 2006 9:05PM]

"does power outage=free fall?"

Welcome to the dark ages, where we can make an elevator traverse hundreds of feet in near record times, but were too stupid to keep it from crashing to the ground in case of a power outtage.

Seriously. Who wrote this, the resident Engadget quaker?

No matter what mankind achieves there is always going to be SOMEONE out there going "duuuuuuuuuuuuuh, your obviously stupid enough to forget something so obvious".

[Nate @ Jan 17th 2006 9:06PM]

I agree with #4, and especially #11. Like "granny down east" someone I love (my wife) has a shunt that's reprogrammed the same way.

I would assume, though, that the magnets involved are somehow localized, and not just blasting magnetic radiation every-which-way.

At least, I hope so, for my wife's, and others' sake.

[Alex K. @ Jan 17th 2006 9:06PM]

ever heard of this guy named Elisha Otis?

what do you think happens when the power goes out in today's elevators? The motors stop, and although there are counterweights, the weight of the passengers would pull the elevator down.

you really think maglev elevators wouldn't come with a safety brake?

besides, don't you want to start calling elevators "maglevators"?

[David @ Jan 17th 2006 9:43PM]

Alcaron

"Seriously. Who wrote this, the resident Engadget quaker?"

Good job insulting an entire religion, wrongly at that. It's the Amish who refuse technology. Nice job showing true ignorance.

[SLUSHIE @ Jan 17th 2006 9:46PM]

They actualy use magnets on freefall rides to stop the vehicle from hitting the ground.

They have a set of magnets on the ride vehicle and another at the base of the freefall tower to stop the vehicle.

The magnets that they use do not require any power.

here is a link to an image with the magnetic breaks.

[Dan @ Jan 17th 2006 10:22PM]

Maglev would not work for the space elevator. The key to that technology is the carbon tube based ribbon that the elevator crawls up to get to orbit. This ribbon is and must be VERY lightweight.

MagLev requires an interaction between electromagnets both in the track and the car. Thus, the sheer weight of the mechanics on the track would prevent it from being used for the space elevator.

[alienshards @ Jan 17th 2006 10:30PM]

well, actually.

you know that ride with the tall tower, where they use compressed air to shoot you up and then you fall back down and stop?

they use magnetic brakes for that, because they're more reliable and don't wear out.

so a mag-lev elevator could have a magnet brake array at the bottom, so even though it'd be a rather hair-raising ride, it would stop safely.

curent technologies that stop elevators from falling if the cable snaps could also be used...

[YourNameHere @ Jan 17th 2006 10:31PM]

Maybe they're just trying to beat their own, current, world record of ~37 MPH.

http://www2.toshiba-elevator.co.jp/elv/infoeng/pressrelease/20041216e.jsp

[alienshards @ Jan 17th 2006 10:34PM]

oh yea, and now that i've thought about it a bit: the actual magnetic drive could be used solely on the counterweight, so magnetic problems wouldn't affect the passenger car.

[shut up @ Jan 17th 2006 10:43PM]

#19: Who gives a shit?

[Sean S. @ Jan 17th 2006 11:16PM]

Dudes, it's been 153 years since Mr. Otis cut the cable on the elevator and showed off his 'wonderous' safety-break. The crowds were wowed at this magnificent technology. I hope the writers at Engadget aren't.

I think you're safe if the power fails.

http://www.otis.com/news/newsdetail/0,1368,cli1_nid16925_res1,00.html

[Evan Blass @ Jan 18th 2006 12:08AM]

To save other commenters the time, I was joking about the risks of falling; I'm sure these elevators have plenty of safety features built in.
In the future I will take pains to clearly indicate which passages contain sarcasm/dry humor.

Evan

[Sami @ Jan 18th 2006 12:16AM]

And for those worrying about excessive magnetic flux in the passenger area, a slab of iron between the magnets and the passengers would be employed with two purposes in mind. It would shield the internal compartment from the magnetic field, and it would also focus the field to allow weaker magnets than would otherwise be required to be used.

[Jonathon @ Jan 18th 2006 12:21AM]

The picture for the article, I must comment, is of the elevator from The Biltmore Estate. I've been in that elevator. It's appropriate for this topic. Heh. :D

[tiuk @ Jan 18th 2006 12:52AM]

It was easily detected, and funny as hell, Evan. Keep it up.

[Sundodger @ Jan 18th 2006 4:51AM]

Evan, never forget that the average "Joe Engadget" is 27 years old, works for the Best Buy Geek Squad, and has mild aspergers. He knows everything, and is more likely to laugh at his Cocoa Puffs than anything you write. I suggest adding this to your style sheet:

p.sarcasm:hover{color:8AFB17}

and applying the sarcasm class only when appropriate.

When brainwaves such as poster #10 see that ALL the text on Engadget is turning chartreuse, maybe they will get the point.

[Mr. Otis @ Jan 18th 2006 8:20AM]

Why is a maglev elevator better than the ones we have today ? We've had 150+ years experience with normal elevators and they work just fine. Why do we need to invent a different type of elevator ? Is there something the matter with the ones we have today ? NO ! I say if it ain't broke don't fix it.

[Nick @ Jan 18th 2006 9:31AM]

#32,

Using that logic, triple-masted east indian trader sailing vessels would still be making the world circuit, we'd all carpool on the backs of horses to get to work, and brain-surgery would be done by the warm, intimate glow of candlelight.

Okay, I know I'm mixing my anachronisms, but you get the point. The philosophy that "if something ain't broke, don't fix it" is rooted in humanity's inherent sloth. EVERYTHING can stand to be improved, and with the revelation of how to improve something our knowledge and understanding of our little piece of the universe expands a LITTLE more...

[el Castellano @ Jan 18th 2006 9:46AM]

Hmmm...what's wrong with the stairs (or a long handicap ramp)? I find it ridiculous that some of these buildings being equipped with elevators today are no more than four stories.

That, and the fact Toshiba is going to do what it damn well pleases to make a profit, and everyone will agree soon enough we couldn't imagine what life was like with those archaic cable models of yore. We will have our maglev shafts and bloody well like it with the right propoganda!

Paz.

[eskimo_socks @ Jan 18th 2006 10:24AM]

Of couse we already ride these things - at theme parks...

You've got to have been on Tower of Terror at Universal or something like that - how do they break and shoot you back up - mag lev.

This isn't new technology - its tried and tested.

[Timerider @ Jan 18th 2006 11:22AM]

Ravitek:
I was just about to ask that. What would happen to a computer in there? What happens to a computer in a maglev train? It would be dangerous to people with implants like pacemakers. Hopefully they can shield the elevator car and shaft from the magnets.

[Timerider @ Jan 18th 2006 11:30AM]

#27:
Why are you such a bitch?

[Don @ Jan 18th 2006 4:16PM]

Ah, but this is a Wonkavator! It can go upways and downways and front ways and backways and sideways and any other ways you've ever heard of!

[meridian506 @ Jan 18th 2006 4:33PM]

#36

Tower of Terror at MGM Studios in Disney World.
Fantastic ride with a great holographic introduction piece to set the mood, which then drops you randomly between 1-4 stories and shoots you back up for another drop.

Can't say I'd want my elevator at work to do this, but the technology is certainly sound.

[alienshards @ Jan 18th 2006 5:39PM]

tower of terror actually uses a heavy duty elevator.

and the monorail at disney runs on wheels, not magnets.

[Dennis Manning @ Jan 19th 2006 2:21AM]

Actually there is an American company that is making maglev elevators only their initial project is a military application - moving bombs/cargo from below decks in the next generation aircraft carriers. I'd speculate that the Navy figures they are safe.

[Dissent @ Jan 22nd 2006 6:09PM]

#22

Wow, that just went right over your head, didnt it?

[sofaKING @ May 28th 2007 2:48PM]

some one will tamper with the maglevator and turn it into a mag gun and shoot it up to the ceiling.

[Jia Zhuang @ Sep 27th 2007 11:32AM]

Turbolift anyone?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbolift