I’m fascinated by the use of lifts in big buildings. According to this article, people get impatient if they have to wait longer than 20 seconds.
I get impatient a lot faster than that.
Today’s invention is therefore an app which the user clicks on, probably whilst sitting at their desk, to specify that they want to go to floor X.
This is effectively a remote lift call which alerts the system to calls all over the building and does its best to schedule their arrival.
Since mobile devices can be allowed to detect where people are, one’s smartphone or tablet knows the time required to walk to a lift lobby.
With this information, the app can beep you when it’s time to start moving, so that you arrive just as the lift appears and step on.
Any waiting therefore happens somewhere you choose.
See this comment via New Scientist http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21929251.300-long-way-down.html#.UePjP8VBc6J