the 'perpetual energy wasting machine' by niklas roy
developed by german artist niklas roy, the 'perpetual energy wasting machine' is a rope and pulley construction which moves an elevator continuosly between two levels of a building. with movement recurring in cycles – the first raises the elevator up one floor, while the second brings it to its original position again.
'as a hydraulic elevator, the cabin's mass is not equalized by a counterweight, where only kinetic operations consume electricity. estimating that the empty conveyor cabin has a mass of 350 kilograms, the wasted energy is about 11.8 kilojoules per cycle, equaling to the metabolic energy of approximately 1/3 grams of fat. inside the elevator, a modified printing calculator, keeps track of the wasted energy, automatically adding up 5.9 kilojoules per half cycle. the results of this symbolic calculation – which does neither regard energy loss by friction, nor a heavier cabin due to possible passengers – go straight to a waste bin.'

second floor system

detail of the contraption

calculator view from inside the elevator

energy wasted records


exterior view of the elevator