Setting goals and objectives are one of the first things we do when embarking on a new mission, whether it be a small task or major initiative. Knowing what you want to accomplish in the end helps you to start in the right direction and then navigate a variety of obstacles and leverage opportunities as they emerge.
So, why don’t we do this with more things? Even mundane endeavors. Say, with elevator rides.
Riding the Elevator
Groups of dissociated riders gather on elevators based on first availability. If more than one opens at the same time, you make a quick assessment and guess which may get you to your destination more quickly. You may have even “raced” a colleague in order to see who had the best elevator instincts.
Rarely you’ll get an express ride to the proper floor. More likely, you’ll stop along the way, maybe at wrong floors due to mistakenly pressed buttons, maybe due to where other passengers are going, maybe due to people calling for the elevator at some of the floors you pass.
It’s all quite inefficient and random. But it doesn’t need to be.
Rethink
What if the elevators knew who was going to which floor before anyone got on board? What if the riders were assigned to the appropriate elevator according to destination? Could that not make for a more efficient system? Less wait time. Less riding time. Lower energy use. Less wear and tear on the equipment.
Well, that’s just what’s emerging in new elevator systems being developed by some innovative companies. Read more about that here: Smart Elevators Bring You There Faster & More Efficiently.
Set your destination
Sometimes we need to rethink the obvious, and these new elevator systems provide a good example. And, as always, knowing where you want to go is crucial to getting there most efficiently.
Photo credit: Mai Le
