Schindler Group has developed the world’s first Robotic Installation System for Elevators (Schindler R.I.S.E) that is speeding up vertical construction projects around the world. For the first time, one of the five construction robots is deployed on a UK project, at BGO’s 105 Victoria Street project in London.

Schindler R.I.S.E has touched down on UK soil for the first time to support the construction of the pioneering 105 Victoria Street in central London. The premium building, developed by leading global real estate investment management company BGO, is the UK’s largest 100% electric, net zero carbon office development at 445,000 square feet. With enhancing whole-life sustainability at its core, the building features an Urban Farm, a ‘walk and talk’ track, a cycle ramp and 25,000 square feet of green space. Skanska is the main contractor on this landmark project with completion targeted for 2026.

World-leading lift and escalator manufacturer Schindler has created Schindler R.I.S.E, a self-climbing robot that is designed to maneuver itself along the building’s elevator shaft to install components. It is equipped with tools to drill holes and install anchor bolts with precision and speed.

Traditionally this part of the construction process is undertaken by construction professionals, but it is hot, dusty and grueling work. With Schindler R.I.S.E, human involvement in this part of construction is limited to a specialist operator who monitors the robot’s movements via a remote-control panel. This not only speeds up work, but reduces the risks of errors, rework or accidents, in line with BGO’s mission for 105 Victoria Street to find alternative ways of delivering social and environmental sustainability in the built world.

“Innovation and sustainability are at the heart of this new high-rise in London, so it makes sense for 105 Victoria Street to be the first in the UK to appoint Schindler R.I.S.E. We’ve seen the advances in quality, speed and safety that the robots bring to projects around the world and as automation becomes a bigger part of the construction process, it makes sense to utilise it at a building’s core,” says Stuart Cross, Managing Director of Schindler UK & Ireland.

Emma Foster, Principal at BGO, says: “Maximising sustainability, social value and wellbeing has been our guiding principle on the 105 Victoria Project. From the outset, we have sought to work with partners that are aligned with this commitment at every stage. We are thrilled to partner with Schindler and Skanska to bring this game-changing innovation to the UK for the first time, prioritising worker wellbeing and facilitating a safer, more efficient and forward-thinking construction industry.”

Terry Muckian, Skanska Executive Vice President, emphasised the importance of technology and innovation to improve safety: “At Skanska, we believe that embracing advanced technologies like Schindler R.I.S.E is essential for pushing the boundaries of construction. By trialling these innovations, we can deliver projects with greater efficiency, safety, and quality. Additionally, using this robot enhances safety during the elevator installation and minimises exposure to noisy, dusty environments, making our work sites a better place to be.”

Schindler R.I.S.E is the first construction robot of its kind and uses advanced automated technology to deliver the fastest elevator installation method seen to date. The robot can execute a series of previously manual steps with the ultimate precision and totally autonomously. There are currently five robots in existence, which traverse the world supporting new construction projects. The technology has already featured with great success on projects across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Schindler R.I.S.E has the potential to change how building contractors approach the process of installing the lift shaft. And with the New London Architecture thinktank reporting that almost 600 new skyscrapers are currently in the pipeline in the UK, the performance of Schindler R.I.S.E will be keenly monitored.

Learn more about Schindler R.I.S.E here.