Kone: How data and connectivity are redefining the skyline

At MIPIM 2026, conversations surrounding smart cities often focus on facades and floorplates, but some of the most radical innovation is happening inside the elevator shaft.

Samu Salmelin

Finland’s Kone moves over two billion people daily—a scale that provides the company with a unique vantage point on how the world’s major cities are returning to life.

In an interview with CRE Media Europe in Cannes, Samu Salmelin, Kone’s Head of Major Projects for Europe, explained that the company’s global footprint has allowed it to turn its elevators into urban sensors.

"In eight out of ten cities, there has been a consistent increase in activity from 2024 to 2025. In Central London, for example, we’ve seen an 11% increase in how much our lifts are being used in office buildings. It showcases that our services and our lifts are now connected; we have a wealth of data on how buildings are actually used."

Shifting Trends in Urban Activity

From 2022 to 2024, all ten monitored cities showed consistent year-on-year growth in office elevator activity. However, this trend diverged in 2025: Frankfurt and Rotterdam experienced significant downturns in office usage, while Dublin and London saw accelerated growth. Other cities, including Milan, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Madrid, and Barcelona, continued to grow but at a slower rate.

By January 2026, Dublin led the charge with a 43% year-on-year increase, while Rotterdam lagged with a 9% decrease.

Predictive Intelligence and Remote Rescue

With over 800,000 pieces of equipment connected globally, Kone uses this data to help building owners optimise operations—from identifying peak traffic times to informing cleaning schedules based on floor usage. By implementing AI and data analytics, the company can now anticipate issues before they lead to a breakdown.

"We are able to see 80% of issues upfront based on the data and predict them," Salminen noted. This is particularly vital for high-traffic environments like the London Underground or iconic skyscrapers such as The Shard, where a single out-of-service lift can cause massive disruption.

One of the most significant breakthroughs for passenger peace of mind is the introduction of remote rescue services.

"If you were entrapped, you press the alarm button, and there’s a connection. We would ask if it’s okay to move the elevator remotely to release you. It takes the release time down to one minute, which is completely different from waiting 30 or 60 minutes for a technician to arrive."

The Road to Zero

Sustainability remains a core strategic pillar. The company's goal extends beyond carbon-neutral operations to a 40% reduction in Scope 3 emissions—targeting the energy consumed by lifts during their decades-long lifecycles.