Otis Gen2

Otis Gen2 (the Gen2 name also used for the traction machine) is a series of current machine room less and machine room traction elevator products of Otis produced since 2000. It is used for new installation (new or existing buildings), or modernizations.

In March 14, 2016, Otis announced the new version of the Gen2 system^[2].

Description[]

Gen2 is a gearless traction elevator system that can be a machine room less or a regular type with a smaller machine room above the shaft. It is designed for low to mid rise residential buildings, commercial buildings, hotels, airports, railway stations, hospitals and even industrial buildings. Besides newly constructed buildings, the Gen2 can also be used in existing buildings that did not have an elevator, as well as modernization of older elevators regardless of brand. Otis Gen2 uses 2:1 roping with an underslung configuration.

Notable features[]

Coated steel belts[]

The Otis Gen2 system replaces conventional steel ropes with coated steel belts. The unique, patented (US patent: 7971687^[3]) flat-belt drive technology virtually eliminates vibration, providing passengers and tenants a remarkably smooth, quiet ride and improved overall comfort. The system uses gearless permanent magnet synchronous motor with smaller sheave, which allows for a machine that is 70% smaller and up to 50% more efficient than conventional geared machines. The Gen2 elevator has a device called PULSE (Resistance Based Inspection, RBI, US patent: 20130207668^[4]), which monitors the belts status 24 hours and alerts the elevator technicians when a tear or damage occurs.

It is also an energy efficient system, which saves energy up to 50% than conventional systems. In addition, the Gen2 system’s flat, polyurethane-coated steel belts and gearless machine do not require any additional lubrication, making the system cleaner for the environment, and reduce the risk of oil spills and fire.

Regenerative drive[]

Main article: Otis ReGen

Gen2 is equipped with ReGen drive, a regenerative drive which feeds generated energy back into the building's grid where it can be used for other electrical devices in the building such as lightings, air conditioners, etc. instead of dissipating it as heat. The amount of energy saved by ReGen depends on the car load, speed, length of run, traffic pattern and system efficiency.

Gen2 Switch[]

Gen2 Switch is a battery powered elevator technology unveiled by Otis in 2016. It allows the elevator to operate should the power in the building fails, therefore the elevator will not be stalled midway because of lack of power. The Gen2 Switch runs on a 230V single phase power battery, and the limit on how much the elevator can operate during a power failure is up to 100 trips. It is an optional feature for certain Gen2 models.

Remote call via smartphones[]

Since the 2010s, the Gen2 can be called from a Otis eCall, a smartphone app developed by Otis which enables visitors with the app installed on their smartphones to call the elevator using their smartphone. It is similar to Schindler's myPORT and Kone's RemoteCall app.

Variants by region[]

Because Gen2 is sold around the world, there are many Gen2 variants currently available in different region. Some of them are only sold in certain countries and/or regions. Specifications and features vary depends on the region. This section lists some of the current and past known Gen2 variants.

The European Gen2 variants (Gen2 Life, Gen2 Stream, Gen2 Flex and Gen2 Robusta) are manufactured in Otis' Madrid factory in Spain.

In production[]

Gen2 Life[]

Gen2 Life is a variant of Otis Gen2 currently available in Europe, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. It is designed for low to mid rise residential buildings with lower traffic.

Specs (Europe):

Gearless traction
Machine room less.
GCS220 microprocessor control
320/450/480/500/630/1000/1020 kilograms (or 4/6/8/13 persons) capacities
1 meters per second speed. 1.6 m/s option available for 630 and 1000/1020 kg capacity
Up to 45 meters of travel distance
Serves up to 14 floors (7 floors if Gen2 Switch is equipped)
Up to 3 elevator cars in a group
Door types:
- Single speed center opening door (2 panels)
- Two speed telescoping sliding door (2 panels)
Can have two entrances as an option
Otis Remote Elevator Monitoring (REM6) system
Can be equipped with Gen2 Switch battery powered technology as an option

Specs (South Korea):

Gearless traction
With or without machine room
550-2000 kilograms (or 8-30 persons) capacities
Speeds:
- Up to 1.75 meters per second without machine room (MRL)
- Up to 2.5 meters per second with machine room (MR)
Up to 96 meters of travel distance
Serves up to 32 floors
Single speed center opening door (2 panels)

Gen2 Stream[]

Gen2 Stream is a variant of Gen2 designed for low to high rise commercial and residential buildings with demanding traffic. It is known to available in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Specs:

Gearless traction
Machine room less
630-2500 kilograms (or 8-33 persons) capacities
1 to 3.5 meters per second speeds
150 meters of travel distance
Serves up to 50 floors
Up to 8 elevator cars in a group
Door types:
- Single speed center opening door (2 panels)
- Two speed telescoping sliding door (2 panels)
Can have two entrances as an option
Can be equipped with Otis CompassPlus destination dispatch as an option

Gen2 Flex[]

Gen2 Flex (also known as Gen2 Flex+) is a variant of Gen2 designed for existing buildings in Europe that did not have an elevator, primarily old residential buildings and hotels. The elevator can be installed in a narrow staircase or on the building's exterior. Gen2 Flex is only sold in Europe.

Specs (newer and current variant):

Gearless traction
Machine room less
Up to 1000 kilograms (or 13 persons) capacities
1 meters per second speed
45 meters of travel distance
Serves up to 16 floors
Up to 2 elevator cars in a group
Two speed telescoping sliding doors (2 panels)
Can have two entrances as an option

Specs (older variant, discontinued)^[5]:

Machine room less with permanent magnet synchronous motor
Otis OVC variable frequency drive with closed loop vector control
180-630 kg capacities
1 m/s speed
45 m maximum rise
Serves up to 16 floors
Up to 2 cars in a group
One or two (either opposite or 90° angle) entrances
Manual, center or telescopic (two, three or four panel) opening doors

Gen2 Robusta[]

Gen2 Robusta ("Robusta" being a play word for "robust") is a high capacity passenger and freight elevator variant of Gen2 designed for warehouses and industrial buildings as well as busy environments like airports, shopping centers and hospitals. The variant is known to available in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Specs:

Gearless traction with 4:1 roping
Machine room less traction
3000-5000 kilograms capacities
0.5 / 0.8 / 1 / 1.6 / 1.75 meters per second speeds
Travel distance:
- Up to 75 meters for elevator with 1.75 m/s speed
- Up to 45 meters for elevator with 1 m/s speed
- Up to 36 meters for elevator with 0.8 m/s speed
- Up to 22.5 meters for elevator with 0.5 m/s speed
Maximum number of floors:
- 24 for elevator with up to 3500 kg capacities
- 16 for elevator with up to 3500 and 4000 kg capacities
- 13 for elevator with up to 5000 kg capacities
Two speed center opening telescoping doors (4 panels)
Can have two entrances as an option

Gen2 Comfort[]

Gen2 Comfort is a Gen2 variant which is primarily targeted for residential buildings. It is currently sold in Asia (where it is manufactured by Otis China), Mexico, Brazil and selected countries.

Specs:

Machine room less or Machine room elevator with permanent magnet synchronous motor
ReGen drive with closed loop vector control
Up to 1000kg capacity
Up to 3.5 meters per second
150 meters travel distance
Serves up 50 floors
Up to 3 elevators in group
One or two entrances
Center or two speed side opening doors

In Asia Pacific, the Gen2 Comfort had been on sale since the 2000s^[6]. It was reintroduced by Otis in the 2010s with a brand new design and wider specifications.

Gen2 Premier[]

Gen2 Premier is a Gen2 variant currently sold in Asia, Japan, and selected countries. It is primarily designed for low to high rise commercial buildings with moderate to high demanding traffic.

The version sold in Asia is manufactured by Otis China. It had been on sale since the 2000s^[7], but was reintroduced in the late 2010s with a brand new design and specifications.

Specs:

Machine room less elevator or Machine room with permanent magnet synchronous motor
ReGen drive with closed loop vector control
Up to 2500kg capacity
up to 2.5 meters per second
Serves up to 32 floors
One or two entrances
Center or two speed side opening doors

Gen2 Switch[]

Gen2 Switch is a battery-powered elevator that allows the elevator to operate in the event of a power failure using a single phase 230V battery. The system prevents passengers from getting trapped in the elevator during a power failure and it enables the elevator to operate with up to 100 trips under such condition. Otis unveiled the Gen2 Switch in 2013.

Gen2-Regen[]

Main article: Otis Gen2-Regen

Gen2-Regen is a Gen2 variant sold in Asia, Russia and Latin America since the late 2000s or early 2010s. It was initially a product of Xizi Otis which was manufactured in China, but since 2016 it is produced by Otis Electric. The GeN2-Regen can be a machine room less or a regular type with a smaller machine room.

Gen3 and Gen360[]

Main article: Otis Gen3

Gen3 and Gen360 are the Gen2 variants including Gen2 system with the Otis ONE remote maintenance system.

Indian version[]

Gen2 Core[]

Specs:

0.7m/s
Serves up to 8 floors
408kg
25m max rise

Gen2 Prime[]

Specs:

5 to 6 passenger capacity
0.7m/s
Serves up to 6 floors
20m max rise

Gen2 Life[]

Specs:

1,020kg
up to 1.75 mps
Serves up to 32 floors
96m max rise

Gen2 Stream[]

Specs:

1,768kg
up to 1.75 mps
up to 32 floors
96m max rise

Discontinued[]

Gen2 (North America)[]

3.

This was a Gen2 variant designed for low to mid rise residential and commercial buildings. It was mainly sold in North America. The North American Gen2 was succeeded by Gen3.

Specs:

Machine room less with permanent magnet synchronous motor
ReGen drive with closed loop vector control
2100-5000 lbs capacities
500 feet per minute speed
300' of travel distance
Serves up to 28 floors
Up to 4 elevator cars in a group
One or two entrances
Center, one or two speed telescopic opening doors

Gen2 Comfort (Europe)[]

This was a Gen2 variant designed for low to mid rise residential buildings with lower traffic. It was mainly sold in Europe, but it could also be exported to Mexico and very rarely Asia Pacific. The European Gen2 Comfort was succeeded by the Gen2 Life in the mid 2010s.

Specs^[8]:

Machine room less with permanent magnet synchronous motor
ReGen drive with closed loop vector control
320/450/480/630/900/1000 kilograms (or 4/6/8/12/13 persons) capacities
1 meters per second speed
45 meters travel distance
Serves up to 14 floors
Up to 3 elevator cars in a group
One or two entrances
Center or two speed telescopic opening doors

Gen2 Premier (Europe)[]

The European Gen2 Premier was a Gen2 variant designed primarily for low to mid rise commercial and residential buildings in Europe with moderate to high traffic. It was succeeded by the Gen2 Stream in the mid 2010s.

Specs^[9]:

Machine room less with permanent magnet synchronous motor
ReGen drive with closed loop vector control
630/800/1000/1275/1600/1800/2000/2500 kilograms (or 8/10/13/17/21/24/26/33 persons) capacities
1 / 1.6 / 1.75 / 2 / 2.5 meters per second speeds
Travel distances:
- 45 meters (1 m/s)
- 75 meters (1.6 and 1.75 m/s)
- 120 meters (2 and 2.5 m/s)
Number of floors served:
- 14 floors (1 m/s)
- 24 floors (1.6 m/s and above)
Number of elevator cars:
- Up to 3 cars (630-1000 kg)
- Up to 4 cars (2500 kg only)
- Up to 5 cars (1275-2000 kg)
Can have two entrances as an option
Door types:
- Center opening (2 panels)
- Two speed telescoping sliding (2 panels)
- Two speed telescoping center opening (4 panels)

Gen2 Lux[]

Gen2 Lux is a variant of Gen2 that comes with a smaller machine room above the shaft. It was primarily designed for low to high rise residential and commercial bu capacity ildings in Asia Pacific.

Specs^[10]:

Machine room less with permanent magnet synchronous motor
800/1000/1275/1600 kilograms (or 10/13/17/21 persons) capacities
Up to 2.5 meters per second speeds
Travels up to 150 meters
Serves up to 32 floors

Gen2 Focus2[]

Gen2 Focus2 was a Gen2 variant only sold in Australia and New Zealand. It was designed for low to mid rise residential and commercial buildings^[11].

Specs:

Machine room less with permanent magnet synchronous motor
ReGen drive
630/800/1000/1050/1275 kilograms (or 8/10/13/15/17 persons) capacities
1 / 1.6/ 1.75 meters per second speeds
40 or 75 meters of travel distance
Serves up to 21 floors
One or two entrances
Center or telescopic opening doors

Other variants[]

Gen2 variants sold under the Otis brand[]

Company	Notes
Gen2 Mod	A variant of Gen2 for modernization of older elevators^[12].
Gen2 Home	Designed for private homes, villas and small commercial buildings^[13].
Gen2 Light Plus	This model is known to exist in Brazil^[14].
Gen2 Premier Heart
Gen2 Prestige
Gen2 L-Series	^[15]
Gen2 PURE EDITION	This model is known to exist in France.
Gen2 Nova	Gen2 variant catered for the Indian market. It is made and only sold in India.
Otis Express	Manufactured by Otis UK. It is often sold under a different brand by Otis' affiliated companies in Europe (such as CFA of France).
Genesis	A cost-effective low rise elevator for residential buildings, similar to Kone EcoSpace or Schindler 3100 and 1000.

Gen2 variants sold under other brands[]

Company	Notes
Sigma Muse and Muse NV	The Gen2 version of Sigma Elevator Company for countries other than South Korea.
Trivium	Sold by Eguren Kone Ascensores^[16], Enor Ascensores^[17], Ascensores Montes Tallon and several other local companies in Spain.

Notable Gen2 installations[]

Main article: List of notable Otis Gen2 elevator installations

For the Otis's Gen2 installed under Sigma's name, please refer to Sigma Muse (elevator).

Trivia[]

The Gen2 version of Sigma/Otis Elevator Korea is called Muse before 2013 and then Muse NV from 2013 onwards^[18].
Eguren Kone and Montes Tallon of Spain also sells Gen2 elevators under the name Trivium. Both companies are Otis' subsidiaries in Spain.
The Otis Gen2 elevator is the fastest selling product in Otis' 160 year+ history.
In North America, the Otis Gen2 drive-system is located at in the middle at the top of the shaft while in Europe and Asia, the drive-systems are on the side at the top, except the car sling is corner mounted.
Otis filled a lawsuit to Schindler Group for the production of its Suspension Traction Media, due to its similarity with Otis' coated steel belts. However, they have signed an agreement to settle that case in 2014^[19].