No More Lifties? Autonomous Chairlifts are Coming

The impending threat of AI coming for our jobs is always looming. But now, for those working as lifties at ski resorts, the threat of AURO coming for their jobs has arrived.

AURO , or Autonomous Ropeway Operation, was developed by international lift manufacturer Doppelmayr. Currently, the group has produced over 15,400 installations in 96 countries (including for use outside of skiing). Their latest debut in transportation systems can be viewed below.

The caption beneath the video explains the company's reasoning for developing an autonomous lift: "pioneering innovations are the hallmark of a successful enterprise. Innovations that provide the right answers to what moves people."

"One example is autonomous driving. This is an area where Doppelmayr is thinking ahead with the introduction of AURO (Autonomous Ropeway Operation). AURO ropeways bring passengers safely and reliably to their destinations in tourist regions or cities – with unmanned operations and cutting-edge digital network technology. This concept is pointing the way for the future of rope-propelled mobility."

But besides being cutting edge, what makes the AURO different and better than regular lifts as we know them?

There is a warning function at the loading gate, for starters. There is an intercom system inside, for passengers. (Perhaps the Heavenly stuck-in-a-gondola-overnight situation could have been avoided if there were intercoms in that gondola.)

There is CCTV in the stations. There is an outline detection system, so if a ski or boot pokes out of the gondola doors from passengers inside, the system stops before moving up the hill.

There is a system for presence recognition inside the car, so the machine knows when people have stepped in and out.

The step to get out of the cabin is gap-free, unlike current models.

Several commenters below the video voiced concerns for use from adaptive skiers. One commenter wrote, "what about the adaptive skiers?"

The video does show the ability to reduce speed for disabled passengers to load, but it's unclear how adaptive skiers will utilize the system.

It seems, overall, that this new lift design could reduce wait times and the need for lifties (which is a positive or negative, depending on what side of that situation you are on. For resort management, it may save money that could be allocated to housing or raising pay for other employees, but for lifties, it dissolves an entire profession).

Like most new technology, time will tell if it is useful, or an unnecessary hassle.

Related: Teton Pass is Closed- How Does it Affect the 'Wydaho' Community?

Don't miss another headline from POWDER! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing.

We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging ski-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on POWDER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality ski videos.