Imagine a hotel lobby where autonomous mobile robots silently glide to the elevators, seamlessly calling and riding them to deliver supplies upstairs or assist with logistics. Increasing demand for automation in commercial spaces has highlighted the longstanding challenge of merging robotics with vertical transportation, especially where traditional elevator control systems and regulatory barriers have restricted progress. Otis Worldwide Corp has developed new solutions to bridge these gaps, introducing a digital platform that supports efficient interaction between mobile robots and their elevator systems. As robots become more common in buildings, the processes that allow them to move between floors are becoming more advanced and accessible to businesses looking to automate operations.
Years ago, integrating autonomous mobile robots with elevator systems posed major obstacles due to proprietary interfaces, strictly local permits, and a lack of standardized digital controls. Unlike past coverage which focused on workarounds such as robot arms pressing physical elevator buttons or closed single-robot hardware integrations, current approaches now emphasize cloud-based APIs and standardized protocols. Recent industry reports demonstrate a broader trend toward retrofitting and interconnecting older elevators, while regulatory advancements have reduced risks encountered by early technology adopters.
How Do Otis Integrated Dispatch and Cloud APIs Work?
Otis addressed integration by launching Otis Integrated Dispatch, a digital, cloud-based API platform that connects their elevator systems with a variety of third-party robot platforms. This approach also enables two-way communication, giving robots the ability not only to summon elevators but also to receive live updates about status, emergencies, or operational changes. By doing so, deployment of multiple robots in complex commercial settings such as hospitals, hotels, and warehouses becomes more scalable and manageable.
What Support is Available for Developers and Facility Managers?
Otis offers comprehensive resources to robot developers and building managers, including detailed documentation, a developer portal, and a sandbox for pre-deployment testing. The company collaborates closely with all stakeholders to ensure seamless interface and system compatibility.
“Whenever we introduce a new piece of technology, we’ll work with the API user and the robot software team, to make sure that they have everything they need to fully understand the API,”
said Nick Cope, Otis’s senior director of design strategy. Support is extended not only to new installations but also to retrofitting, as the platform remains compatible with Otis equipment dating back thirty years.
Will Industry Standards Simplify Integration Across Brands?
Standardization efforts such as Singapore’s SS 713 and the ASME A17.1/CSA B44 safety code are enabling better interoperability between various brands of elevators and different robot manufacturers. Proprietary system elements continue to present minor hurdles, but industry-wide adoption of middleware and common interfaces is predicted to further ease integration.
“The real desire was to put them in the cloud, and then from the cloud get them out to the other third-party systems,”
Cope remarked, highlighting the company’s ongoing push toward streamlined connectivity.
As automated logistics and service robots become entrenched in hospitality, medical, and industrial spaces, Otis’s shift from hardware-based installation to software-managed, certified digital interfaces marks significant progress. For companies seeking to retrofit or upgrade existing infrastructure, backward compatibility simplifies deployment, while regulatory progress lowers compliance hurdles. Other manufacturers and integrators may follow suit as the industry gravitates toward universal communication protocols and wider adoption of digital interfaces.
The dynamics of elevator-robot integration illustrate broader shifts in building management and automation. Organizations planning automated solutions stand to benefit from digital control platforms like Otis Integrated Dispatch, which reduces the need for complex physical interventions and long wiring processes. Familiarity with both the digital interface and emerging middleware trends can help businesses select technologies that remain relevant through regulatory and market changes. It is also advisable to stay updated on local compliance standards and safety codes when integrating autonomous systems with building infrastructure, as standards evolve continually along with technology.
