The Levytator: A Free-Forming Escalator That Can Handle Corners
The steps of the Levytator, an escalator created by a City University London Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering Jack Levy, employ free-form curves in a way to make the escalator bend and shape to its surrounding environment.
Dispensing with the general “two stairway” setup to which escalators adhere, the Levytator uses a single track design, more akin to a cyclical conveyor belt made of separate pieces that can raise or lower to form steps when appropriate.
The escalator technology has been patented in the US, UK, Europe, and China, and City University London is currently seeking architectural and manufacturing partnerships in order to help produce and market the Levytator.
(City University London via Wired via Gizmodo)
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