Vacuum-Controlled Elevator Developed

Aenox writes "Vacuum Elevators of Florida have released a one-man elevator system that easily slots into buildings. It has gone on sale in the U.S. for around $20,000 and uses only electricity to power vaccum-inducing suction turbines that can lift 204Kg several floors up. They claim it provides a smooth ride but from the video it looks like it could use some oil."

Comments

Editor desperately needed at NewScientist.com

[TripMaster Monkey]

Does NewScientist.com have editors?

Call me picky, but if you're doing a professional publication, there are some standards you ought to uphold.

But O'Connor adds that a series of mechanical breaks will activate should there be a sudden loss of pressure, to prevent the capsule falling.

Well. this certainly doesn't sound promising. I would think that in the event of a sudden loss of pressure, the elevator would 'break' quite satisfactorily on its own, without the need for additional mechanical help.

The elevator costs between $20,000 and £22,000.

That's actually quite a large price range, once you figure out the exchange rate.

Clearly someone over at NewScientist.com is asleep at the switch. The sad fact is that this is nothing new....even sadder is the fact that this sort of thing is now acceptable, even in professional publications.