'Vertical Walking' is an experimental staircase prototype from the Rombout Frieling Lab. However, to call Vertical Walking a staircase is to radically expand the definition of stairs, as the concept system is far from anything resembling the standard conduit fort movement between floors.
Vertical Walking works through the use of a unidirectional locking pulley system. Users rest their body weight on the seat and put their feet on the footrest, then stand up. As they stand, the seat rises with them. Then, when they sit down again, the footrest rises with their feet. Thus, by sitting and standing repeatedly, they rise up the track.
The Vertical Walking system uses only human energy to move people between floors, just like a staircase technically does. However, the entire system fits into a single-person column and it requires less than 10 percent of the effort of walking up stairs.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Unidirectional Locking Pulley Systems
- Opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating new and efficient transportation systems.
- Space-efficient Design
- Opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating compact and versatile structures for various industries.
- Human-powered Mobility
- Opportunity for disruptive innovation in developing sustainable and energy-efficient transportation solutions.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Architecture
- Opportunity for disruptive innovation in designing space-saving structures and innovative building solutions.
- Transportation
- Opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating efficient and eco-friendly transportation systems.
- Furniture
- Opportunity for disruptive innovation in developing compact and adaptable furniture designs for small spaces.
