Machine Room-less (MRL) Elevators

IElevators that do not require separate machine rooms are designed so that most of their power and control components fit within the hoistway (the shaft containing the elevator car), and a small cabinet houses the controller. The equipment is otherwise similar to that of a normal traction or hole-less hydraulic elevator. The world's first machine-room-less elevator, the Kone MonoSpace, was introduced in 1996, by Kone. Compared to traditional elevators, it:

• Required less space

• Used 70–80% less energy

• Used no hydraulic oil (assuming it replaced traditional hydraulic units)

• Had all components above ground (avoiding the environmental concern created by the hydraulic cylinder on direct hydraulic-type elevators being underground)

• Cost somewhat less than other systems, and significantly less than the hydraulic MRL elevator

• Could operate at faster speeds than hydraulics, but not normal traction units

• Its disadvantage was that it could be harder, and significantly more dangerous, to service and maintain.