Abstract. Efficient elevator group control is important for the operation of large buildings. Recent developments in this field include the use of fuzzy logic and neural networks. This paper summarizes the development of an evolution strategy (ES) that is capable of optimizing the neuro-controller of an elevator group controller. It extends the results that were based on a simplified elevator group controller simulator. A threshold selection technique is presented as a method to cope with noisy fitness function values during the optimization run. Experimental design techniques are used to analyze first experimental results.