Skanska Deploys Robot for London Elevator Installations

Skanska has used the Schindler Robotic Installation System for Elevators (Schindler R.I.S.E) on the 105 Victoria Street project in London, the first use of the system in the United Kingdom.

The Schindler R.I.S.E system is an elevator-climbing robot programmed to climb elevator shafts by itself to fit parts with utmost accuracy and speed.

The robot comes equipped with a hole-drilling set of tools and fitting anchor bolt tools, significantly reducing the need for human labour in typically noisy, dusty, and physically demanding tasks.

These tasks include drilling and fitting anchor bolts for landing doors, divider beams, and wall brackets.

Terry Muckian, executive vice president at Skanska, stressed the importance of integrating technology into construction: “At Skanska, we believe that embracing advanced technologies like Schindler R.I.S.E is essential for pushing the boundaries of construction. By trialling these innovations, we can deliver projects with greater efficiency, safety, and quality.”

The robot’s ability to perform these tasks autonomously also reduces workers’ exposure to the dangers of working at height, as the robot takes over the more strenuous aspects of the installation process. 

A specialist operator monitors the robot’s progress through a remote-control panel, ensuring greater accuracy and reducing the risks of errors and accidents.

Stuart Cross, managing director of Schindler UK & Ireland, also praised the innovation: “Innovation and sustainability are at the heart of this new high-rise in London, so it makes sense for 105 Victoria Street to be the first in the UK to appoint Schindler R.I.S.E.

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We’ve seen the advances in quality, speed and safety that the robots bring to projects around the world, and as automation becomes a bigger part of the construction process, it makes sense to use it at a building’s core.”

The 105 Victoria Street development, led by global real estate investment management company BGO, is set to become the UK’s largest 100% electric, net-zero carbon office building.

Designed with sustainability in mind, the building will feature an urban farm, cycle ramp, and 25,000 sq ft of green space. The building is set for completion in mid-2026.

By embracing such technology, Skanska is not only setting out to render its construction method more efficient and secure but is also contributing towards a greener future for the UK’s building sector.

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