In Russia, an Elevator That Recognizes Residents and Takes Them to Their Floor Automatically
Russia’s housing sector is going high-tech — starting with a smart elevator in Nizhny Novgorod that knows exactly where you live.
The city of Nizhny Novgorod has launched the country’s first smart elevator, capable of recognizing residents and taking them to their floor without pressing a single button. The system is part of a broader digital transformation in Russia’s housing and utilities sector, aiming to merge everyday convenience with intelligent automation.
A Hands-Free Ride Home
The new system uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology — the same wireless standard that connects most modern smartphones. To summon the elevator, residents simply approach it with their mobile device. The system identifies the user, arrives automatically, and brings them to a pre-set floor indicated in a mobile app. For those who prefer the old-school approach, the traditional control panel still works.
Representatives of the Nizhny Novgorod Lift Company, which developed the technology, told GIPERNN.RU that virtually any elevator can be made ‘smart’ by installing compact controllers. Developers are already showing interest: the same devices can be mounted on entry doors, parking gates, or building barriers, which then open automatically as a resident approaches.
Next: A Digital Concierge
Nizhny Novgorod is also preparing to introduce another innovation — a digital concierge. This autonomous delivery robot will transport parcels from couriers directly to apartments. Similar systems are already used in luxury housing and business centers worldwide, where they ensure document security and reduce staff workload.
As Russia continues its digital transformation of urban infrastructure, projects like these illustrate a growing focus on smart living — where everyday interactions, from opening doors to riding elevators, become seamless extensions of connected city life.
