# Logic behind elevator (lift) control in office building

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-behind-elevator-lift-control-in-office-building/978093>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 12, 2023, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-behind-elevator-lift-control-in-office-building/978093 "2023-01-12T11:12:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2023, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-behind-elevator-lift-control-in-office-building/978093/21 "2023-01-13T14:08:03Z")

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> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#):
>
> My guess is the algorithm in this new system is too complex to reverse engineer from observation. Twenty years ago the “fuzzy logic” people would have been all over this. Now it’s probably the “AI” people.

Yeah, this. I’ve seen lots of patent applications for trying to improve efficiency of all sorts of transportation systems using predictive algorithms that are trained on historical usage data, and constantly updated with new use data. Pretty much any industry that involves moving people or things is constantly looking to improve their scheduling algorithms. Elevators are just a sub-set of that.

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**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2023, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logic-behind-elevator-lift-control-in-office-building/978093/22 "2023-01-13T14:37:09Z")

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> [@md-2000](#):
>
> Did the upper floors also have a selection button or simply UP and DOWN? Was the assumption the downward passengers are all going to the lobby, or was there a mezzanine and basement parking typical destination too

For the elevator systems with the “request your floor by number to summon an elevator” control panels in the vestibules, those are on every floor, not just the ground/main floor(s).

There are no user controls inside the elevator car except the emergency call button / phone. It’s funny to watch people having their first experience with these things; it’s pretty disconcerting to them.

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