TK Elevator has expanded its global research and development network with the opening of a new Global Product Development Center in Guaíba, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Backed by an investment exceeding €5 million, equivalent to approximately R$30 million, the facility will focus on developing next-generation elevators, connected services and digital mobility products for customers worldwide.
The center brings together engineering and software development teams to accelerate product innovation, strengthen international collaboration and reduce the time required to bring new vertical-transportation technologies to market.
Focus on Connected and Digitally Enabled Elevators
The Guaíba center will support the continued development of several products within TK Elevator’s digital portfolio, including EOX, AGILE Mirror and AGILE Mobile.
EOX is the company’s digitally native elevator platform, designed around built-in connectivity and future software capabilities. Its digital architecture allows functions to be enhanced through remote updates while supporting emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence-enabled maintenance.
The platform also incorporates regenerative-drive technology and energy-efficient features intended to reduce power consumption and create long-term value throughout a building’s lifecycle.
Through the new development center, TK Elevator aims to advance these capabilities while exploring additional digital applications that can improve elevator performance, availability and passenger experience.
Advancing AGILE Mirror and AGILE Mobile
The facility will also contribute to the development of AGILE Mirror, an interactive in-car display that transforms an elevator mirror into a multimedia communication platform.
The solution can present building information, announcements, entertainment and other digital content during a passenger’s journey. It can also support services designed to improve safety and communication inside the elevator.
AGILE Mirror has significant development roots in Brazil, making Guaíba an important location for the product’s continued evolution.
Another area of focus will be AGILE Mobile, which connects passengers and building managers with elevator systems through mobile devices. Among its functions, the technology allows users to call an elevator directly from a smartphone, creating a more convenient and touch-free passenger experience.
The platform can also help building operators manage access and respond to changing passenger requirements through connected digital tools.
Brazil Joins TK Elevator’s Global Development Network
The Guaíba center will operate as part of TK Elevator’s international research and development structure. Teams in Brazil will collaborate with specialists in the United States, Germany, Spain, South Korea and China.
This network will allow expertise developed in one region to be applied across different markets. It will also help the company adapt its products to varying building types, passenger expectations and operational requirements.
According to Paulo Manfroi, CEO of TK Elevator Latin America, the investment will strengthen the company’s product-development capabilities and enable closer cooperation among its engineering, software and digital teams.
The broader objective is to develop smarter and more connected mobility solutions while improving the speed at which new concepts move from development to commercial application.
Strengthening Latin America’s Role in Elevator Innovation
The opening of the Guaíba facility gives Latin America a larger role within TK Elevator’s global innovation strategy.
Brazil offers an important development environment because of its large urban population, diverse building stock and growing demand for modernisation, connectivity and efficient building management.
Locating a global development facility in Rio Grande do Sul also allows TK Elevator to combine regional engineering expertise with insights from its international operations.
While the center will be based in Brazil, its technologies and products will be developed for deployment across global markets.
Digital Technology Reshaping Vertical Mobility
Elevator manufacturers are increasingly moving beyond conventional mechanical engineering by incorporating cloud connectivity, artificial intelligence, mobile access and real-time data into their products and services.
These capabilities can allow elevators to receive software improvements remotely, provide operators with more useful system information and support maintenance teams in identifying potential issues before they lead to extended downtime.
Digital passenger interfaces are also changing how people interact with elevators. Smartphones, interactive displays and connected access systems are becoming part of a broader building ecosystem focused on convenience, communication and operational efficiency.
TK Elevator’s investment in Guaíba reflects this industry-wide transition towards elevators that function as connected and adaptable mobility platforms.
Supporting TK Elevator’s Global Innovation Strategy
The Brazilian center follows TK Elevator’s continued investment in product development, digitalisation and connected services across its international operations.
The company operates in elevators, escalators, moving walkways, passenger boarding bridges, platform lifts, stairlifts, home elevators, modernisation and multi-brand maintenance. It reported sales of approximately €9.2 billion in fiscal year 2025 and employs around 50,000 people worldwide, including approximately 25,000 service technicians.
By linking the new Guaíba facility with its wider research and development network, TK Elevator is positioning Brazil as a contributor to future elevator platforms, digital passenger experiences and intelligent service solutions.
The more than €5 million investment is expected to help the company develop products faster, strengthen collaboration between regional and global teams and respond to the growing demand for connected, efficient and future-ready vertical mobility.