Introduction [00:00:00]
Dr. Erik Wallin: Welcome to the Best of Breed podcast by ProptechOS. Today’s guest is Johan Öhrn from Safeline, a leader in elevator safety equipment and analytics.
Johan Öhrn: Thank you. Great to be here.
Dr. Erik Wallin: Johan, you’ve worked with us on some exciting projects. Today, we’ll explore what makes an elevator tick.
Johan Öhrn: Happy to dive in.
Dr. Erik Wallin: But first, tell us a bit about yourself and Safeline.
Johan Öhrn: I’m the Chief Product Officer at Safeline, though I consider myself a lift technician first. I’ve worked with lifts since childhood.
Dr. Erik Wallin: Lift or elevator?
Johan Öhrn: Depends on the audience — “lift” in Europe, “elevator” in the US.
Monitoring and Retrofitting Lifts [00:02:00]
Johan Öhrn: Safeline manufactures emergency phones and has focused on monitoring systems for over 10 years.
Dr. Erik Wallin: What’s interesting is that you retrofit hardware to collect behavioral and traffic data from any elevator, paired with your analytics platform.
Johan Öhrn: Right. Monitoring isn’t new, but making it accessible and usable across different lift types is the real value.
Dr. Erik Wallin: Most people only notice lifts when they break down.
Johan Öhrn: Exactly.
Pattern Recognition and Predictive Insights [00:04:00]
Johan Öhrn: We look for behavioral patterns—how often a lift runs, door movements, vibration trends—not just raw signals.
Dr. Erik Wallin: So it’s about building a baseline and detecting anomalies?
Johan Öhrn: Yes. We use edge computing and algorithms built with academic help to process data locally, avoiding cloud overload.
Dr. Erik Wallin: Sounds like a mix of data science and AI.
Johan Öhrn: We don’t call it AI, but yes—algorithm-driven insights.
Common Elevator Failures [00:06:00]
Dr. Erik Wallin: What’s the most common elevator fault?
Johan Öhrn: The doors. They experience the most wear and are exposed to users. Most faults are door-related.
Dr. Erik Wallin: Makes sense, especially when people force them.
Integrating with Smart Buildings [00:07:00]
Dr. Erik Wallin: How do lifts connect to smart building systems?
Johan Öhrn: Data needs to reach the right people. Isolated systems are ineffective.
Dr. Erik Wallin: What would a perfect lift look like?
Johan Öhrn: Efficiency comes from proper planning and maintenance, not futuristic redesigns. A well-maintained, properly programmed lift is ideal.
Optimizing Lift Usage [00:08:00]
Dr. Erik Wallin: So predictive maintenance is key?
Johan Öhrn: Yes. Usage data often reveals imbalance—some lifts run much more due to flawed parking logic.
Dr. Erik Wallin: Building usage changes over time. Shouldn’t the system adapt?
Johan Öhrn: Some controllers already do. They learn traffic patterns and adjust accordingly. Monitoring can enhance that.
Efficiency Through Door Timing and Destination Control [00:10:00]
Johan Öhrn: Improving door speed increases lift efficiency.
Dr. Erik Wallin: Efficiency is measured in people moved per floor per hour?
Johan Öhrn: Yes, and waiting time is a key KPI.
Dr. Erik Wallin: What about destination control systems?
Johan Öhrn: They can improve flow but often confuse users unfamiliar with the system.
Data-Driven Maintenance and Learning [00:12:00]
Johan Öhrn: My goal is to develop the tools I wish I had as a technician. I love digging into lift data.
Dr. Erik Wallin: Could external data help—like subway delays?
Johan Öhrn: Absolutely. If we see fewer lift trips and know foot traffic is low, we avoid false alarms. Context matters.
Proactive vs Reactive Maintenance [00:13:00]
Dr. Erik Wallin: Emergency repairs are costly.
Johan Öhrn: Yes, and being proactive improves the customer experience. Calling the client before they call you makes all the difference.
Conclusion [00:15:00]
Dr. Erik Wallin: Lifts are a top tenant complaint, yet I’ve learned how complex and critical they are. Thank you, Johan, for the insights.
Johan Öhrn: Thank you, Erik.
Dr. Erik Wallin: And thanks to everyone listening. You can find our contact details below this episode. See you next time on ProptechOS Best of Breeds.