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Seamless Parcel Delivery in Office Buildings: How Autonomous Robots Integrate with Elevators from Major Indian Brands

As autonomous delivery robots become a vital part of modern office logistics, their ability to navigate multi-floor buildings independently is crucial. A key enabler of this capability is seamless integration with elevators, allowing robots to travel from the building’s delivery hub to individual floors to deliver parcels efficiently and securely.

Compatibility with Major Elevator Brands in India

Autonomous delivery robots are designed to be compatible with a wide range of elevator systems, including those from leading Indian and global manufacturers such as:

• Otis

• Kone

• Schindler

• Johnson Lifts

• Thyssenkrupp

• Mitsubishi Electric

Thanks to standardized communication protocols and open APIs developed in collaboration with the elevator industry, robots can interface with elevators regardless of brand or model. For example, Otis’s Integrated Dispatch technology supports elevators manufactured since the 1990s and uses the OID (Otis Integrated Dispatch) protocol, which aligns with the Robot-Elevator Linkage Interface Definition standard. This allows robots to call elevators, select floors, and coordinate travel autonomously1.

How Robots Travel from Lift to Floor for Parcel Delivery

The process of autonomous parcel delivery using elevators typically follows these steps:

1. Parcel Reception and Loading: Parcels from courier services (e.g., Amazon, Flipkart) are received at a central delivery hub or lobby inside the building. Robots are loaded with these parcels, securely stored in locked compartments.

2. Elevator Call and Floor Selection: Using the building’s elevator API, the robot calls the elevator and selects the destination floor where the parcel recipient is located. The elevator system grants priority access to the robot, optimizing travel time.

3. Safe Navigation Inside Elevator: The robot autonomously enters the elevator, maintains balance, and monitors its position during transit. It communicates with the elevator system to know when it reaches the correct floor.

4. Exit and Final Delivery: Upon arrival, the robot exits the elevator and navigates corridors and office spaces using AI-driven mapping and obstacle avoidance to reach the recipient’s desk or designated delivery point.

5. Recipient Notification and Parcel Handover: The recipient receives a notification via an app with a secure code or QR to unlock the robot’s compartment and retrieve the parcel, ensuring contactless and secure delivery.

Benefits of Elevator-Robot Integration

• Multi-floor Accessibility: Robots can serve high-rise buildings without human assistance, covering all floors efficiently.

• Increased Delivery Speed: Priority elevator access reduces wait times and speeds up deliveries.

• Enhanced Security: Controlled elevator access and locked compartments protect parcels.

• Scalability: Compatible with multiple elevators and brands, robots can operate in diverse building environments.

• Future-Proofing: Integration standards ensure compatibility with existing and future elevator systems.

Conclusion

The integration of autonomous delivery robots with major elevator brands in India is transforming parcel delivery in office buildings. By leveraging standardized communication protocols and intelligent navigation, these robots can independently travel from the building entrance to individual floors, delivering parcels securely and efficiently. This synergy between robotics and elevator technology is a cornerstone of smart building logistics, enhancing convenience for occupants and operational efficiency for building managers.