An elevator that gets its swerve on

Jack Levy.

The escalator was invented over a hundred years ago (in the late 1800s, believe it or not) and since then they've always gone in a straight line; but now, thanks to Jack Levy, an upgrade has been developed.

Levy, City University London Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering, has patented the Levytator, an escalator that can follow curves by means of specially-designed steps that recall the sections of conveyor belt you see at airport baggage claims.

The so-called Levytator resembles a conveyor belt and is the world's first freeform, curved escalator.

- How does it work?

"Unlike traditional designs, where redundant steps move underneath those in use, the Levytator utilises a continuous loop of curved modules, which can follow any path upwards, flatten and straighten out, and descend once more, all with passengers onboard

This next-generation escalator is patented in the U.S., U.K., Europe and China.

The levytator.