Finally, an escalator that can be used around corners!

Researchers at City University London have developed a type of escalator which can be bent to form curves to go around corners and create spirals.Jack Levy, an emeritus professor of mechanical engineering at City University, has developed and patented the “Levytator”, and is now seeking to take it to market. According to City University London, the Levyator opens up new possibilities for architects in building design and can carry twice as many people as a traditional escalator at a comparable price. The escalator can be arranged in any shape, including freeform curves.

Unlike traditional designs, where redundant steps move underneath those in use, the Levytator utilises a continuous loop of curved modules, which can follow any path upwards, flatten and straighten out, and descend once more, all with passengers onboard. The system can be arranged in any configuration – as a DNA-esque double helix in a science museum, for example – and also offers several practical advantages at a cost that is similar to a conventional unit.

Levy said: “As all of the steps can be accessed from above, maintenance can be carried out much more easily. It also means that no excavation is required when installing the Levytator. This could be particularly useful in the heritage sector, where the system could be placed on top of a grand staircase in a listed stately home, providing better access for elderly and disabled visitors, but not destroying the fabric of the building.”

The technology has been patented in the UK, Europe, the US, and China, and City University London is now actively seeking strategic partnerships with architects and manufacturers to take the Levytator to market.