The global moving walkways (travelators) market has witnessed a paradigm shift, transitioning from simple conveyor systems to high-tech, AI-integrated mobility solutions. As of 2024, the market is valued at billions, driven by the rapid expansion of "smart cities" and the massive upgrades in international airports and transport hubs. These systems are no longer just luxury additions; they are essential infrastructure for managing high-density pedestrian flow effectively.
From the bustling corridors of Dubai International Airport to the sprawling mega-malls of Shanghai, moving walkways ensure "frictionless mobility." The demand is particularly high in the Asia-Pacific region, where urban development is at its peak, and in Europe, where the focus is on retrofitting existing infrastructure with energy-efficient technologies.
The CAGR for the travelator industry remains steady at 4.5%, with a surging preference for Inclined Moving Walkways in multi-level retail environments.
Modern factories are prioritizing "Green Tech," using regenerative drives that return energy to the grid, reducing operational costs by up to 30%.
Predictive maintenance powered by IoT sensors is now a standard requirement for top-tier global manufacturers, ensuring 99.9% uptime.
When selecting a moving walkway manufacturer, expertise and reliability are paramount. Here are the top 10 global leaders recognized for their engineering excellence.
A pioneer in the industry, Otis offers the NCE and SPE series, known for their space-saving design and durability in extreme environments.
Based in Switzerland, Schindler is a leader in Schindler 9500 travelators, designed for both commercial and public transport applications.
KONE’s TransitMaster™ series is the gold standard for airports, focusing on high-speed pedestrian movement and safety.
Formerly ThyssenKrupp, their iwalk series revolutionized the market with a pitless design that simplifies installation.
Famous for high-end luxury finishes and silent operation, Mitsubishi serves premium malls and corporate headquarters.
A Japanese giant focusing on heavy-duty moving walkways capable of 24/7 operation in the world's busiest metros.
Hitachi specializes in modular moving sidewalks, allowing for flexible layout planning in complex architectural spaces.
A rising star from South Korea, offering competitive pricing with cutting-edge digital monitoring systems.
As a leading Chinese Manufacturer, DHI provides Industry 4.0 smart factory solutions, balancing cost-efficiency with A-level national quality standards.
Focuses on ultra-long-distance travelators with advanced safety features to prevent passenger stumbling.
Requirements: Horizontal travelators exceeding 100m, high load capacity for luggage trolleys, and ultra-high reliability.
Requirements: Inclined moving walkways (10-12 degrees) for shopping carts, aesthetic glass balustrades, and quiet operation.
Requirements: Non-slip surfaces, gentle acceleration, and wider pallets for medical stretcher and wheelchair transport.
Requirements: Heavy-duty components resistant to dust and vibration, used for transporting personnel across large factory floors.
Global buyers are increasingly sourcing from factories like Guangzhou DHI Lift due to the "China Manufacturing Advantage." This includes Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) optimization—where we provide European-standard safety (CE, ISO) at a more competitive price point. Our ability to offer Customized OEM/ODM services means we can tailor the width, speed, and aesthetic of the travelator to fit specific architectural constraints that bigger brands might avoid.
Guangzhou DHI Lift Co., Ltd. was established in 2016 and is located in Guangzhou, one of China’s most dynamic economic and manufacturing hubs. Benefiting from its strategic location and convenient transportation network, the company enjoys strong advantages in both domestic and international markets.
The company operates a modern manufacturing base with a construction area of over 45,000 square meters. It is a national A-level enterprise specializing in the design, manufacturing, installation, modernization, and maintenance of elevator systems and other vertical transportation equipment.
By embracing intelligent manufacturing, the company has developed an advanced “Internet + Industry 4.0” smart factory equipped with automated production lines, precision testing systems, and digital management platforms.
To ensure consistent excellence, the company strictly implements international management standards, including ISO9001 Quality Management System, ISO14001 Environmental Management System, and ISO45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System, alongside refined 6S onsite management practices.
Our product portfolio includes passenger elevators, freight elevators, hospital elevators, panoramic elevators, villa elevators, retrofit elevators for existing buildings, service elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. Driven by the philosophy of “Quality First, Customer Foremost,” we provide 24-hour rapid response and technical support to clients in overseas markets.
Escalators are designed for vertical transport between floors using steps, while moving walkways (travelators) are flat or slightly inclined surfaces for horizontal transport, often used for longer distances.
The standard maximum angle is usually 12 degrees to ensure the safety of passengers using shopping carts or trolleys.
Maintenance involves regular lubrication of the chain drive, pallet inspection for cracks, sensor testing, and cleaning of the comb plates. Smart factories like DHI offer IoT remote monitoring to track these in real-time.