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One Cool Day Job: Building Algorithms For Elevators

Posted by timothy on from the getting-it-up-is-only-half-the-battle dept.

McGruber writes "The Wall Street Journal has an article about Theresa Christy, a mathematician who develops algorithms for Otis Elevator Company, the world's largest manufacturer and maintainer of people-moving products including elevators, escalators and moving walkways. As an Otis research fellow, Ms. Christy writes strings of code that allow elevators to do essentially the greatest good for the most people — including the building's owner, who has to allocate considerable space for the concrete shafts that house the cars. Her work often involves watching computer simulation programs that replay elevator decision-making. 'I feel like I get paid to play videogames. I watch the simulation, and I see what happens, and I try to improve the score I am getting,' she says."

6 of 203 comments (clear)

  1. maybe they should release it as a game by Trepidity · · Score: 5, Funny

    'I feel like I get paid to play videogames. I watch the simulation, and I see what happens, and I try to improve the score I am getting,' she says.

    I've been looking for a more sophisticated follow-up to SimTower for a while now. I'd buy Otis Elevator Tycoon.

    --
    10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10
  2. Sounds good but . . . by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I expect the job has its ups and downs just like any other.

    1. Re:Sounds good but . . . by Hognoxious · · Score: 5, Funny

      Careful, I hear it's easy to get shafted.

      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  3. Future algorithm ... by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 4, Funny

    ... when elevators can move in more than one plane: 10 PRINT CHR$ (205.5 + RND (1)); : GOTO 10

    --
    It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
  4. and her iPOD has by cellocgw · · Score: 3, Funny

    one certain Aerosmith song on it.

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    https://app.box.com/WitthoftResume Code: https://github.com/cellocgw
  5. Yes but.... by guruevi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Does it also simulate who farted?

    --
    Custom electronics and digital signage for your business: www.evcircuits.com