Making Buildings Smarter With AI and Sensor Systems
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Making Buildings Smarter With AI and Sensor Systems

Government CIO Outlook | Tuesday, August 20, 2019

If not smart cities, smart buildings are being planned and developed all over the world at present. How AI can be augmented with either conventional buildings or new ones to convert them into smart buildings is discussed.

FREMONT, CA: Since the last few decades, innovations and advancements in the technology have resulted in revolutionizing businesses, offering the companies innumerable long-term advantages and growth. The very same technologies are being integrated to transform structures that form the foundation of cities and their development. These massive changes can be recognized when buildings being constructed in the present are compared to the ones built a few years ago. Modern buildings are not just four walls and a roof the walls of the present can hear and see as well as any human, maybe even better. All this thanks to digital technologies. A study conducted on the global smart building market depicts that the market reach will be about 36 billion dollars by 2020.

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With technologies such as pervasive wireless connectivity, buildings at present generate data in tons. These are utilized to improve efficiency and sustainability. AI is bringing in new waves of change in smart buildings. The combination of AI in intelligent buildings is ideal as the combination assists in streamlining, optimizing, and innovating the functioning of buildings. As the combination intensifies, the building managers can ensure improved structural reliability and decreased harmful ecological impacts.

AI And Smart Buildings: Creating Smart and Sustainable Buildings Goals:

The augmentation of incredibly advanced IoT devices, which are not only in-expensive and highly accessible, they collect large chunks of meaningful data from the corner of the building. Data collected is analyzed and processed effectively to convert the raw data into actionable intelligence with the help of AI. Without AI, the data collected would be futile and pointless. With AI, Building managers can ensure the operational efficiency to a more considerable extent; it will utilize the assets reliably, and improve the comfort level of occupants. A brief explanation of how AI is assisting buildings to become smarter is given below:

1. Water Management:

With 90 percent of the day being spent indoors, the amount of water consumed by an average American family for different purposes is calculated to estimate to be around 300 gallons every day. Considering the same number, the water consumed on a global scale is terrifying. As the water resources are running scarce, it is highly essential to monitor and control the usage of water. As manual tracking of water usage levels of each family or office is nearly impossible, AI can be applied. Sensors that are embedded in water supply channels to toilets, and water storage tanks will provide the information on the standard water consumption of the water by that unit. The data gathered from these sensors are collected to be processed in the AI tool to check the quantity of water consumed.

2. Building Maintenance:

The cleanliness around the building-spaces is well-maintained and safe. Working with specialized cleaning companies, the managers can make sure that the structure is clean. Sensors and cameras can capture and store the details of every building corner. This data, when processed in the AI tool, can help the building managers by notifying about the areas to carry out the cleaning processes on the areas recognized, providing improved service to occupants.

3. Fault Detection:

The constant monitoring for anomalies and faults to ensure safety is a tedious job for only a building manager to handle. This ordeal might be more complex depending on the buildings. AI can continuously process the data that comes from several sources. The AI tool will process the inputs, study patterns, and reveal insights on any technical glitch or fault. For example, for one such instance, sensors and cameras installed in the lift will gather information about the performance of the elevator. The data will then be handled by an AI tool to find out whether the lift is properly operational or on the verge of a breakdown. Proactive remedial actions can then be taken before the lift stops working properly.

4. Parking Assistance:

The primary concern for people in a fast-paced world like today is parking. While visiting or traveling to any place, a significant amount of time is spent in identifying a vacant parking spot. AI can play a vital role in these cases. Pressure sensors installed in the ground and cameras all around the parking lot can gather information on empty parking spaces. An AI parking tool, when fed with this data, will process the parking space utilization and allot an area or provide information on empty parking spaces. By taking simple steps on their respective smartphones, a visitor will get a comprehensive report of the spaces available in the parking lot. The app assists in navigating visitors to the correct location for parking. Assistance in small but essential sections like these will not only improve visitors’ experience but also contribute to energy savings. That’s the effect of AI in smart buildings.

Buildings that are conventional and made up of mere brick and mortar enclosures are now capable of responding to real-time needs. The interconnected web of sensors, cameras, actuators, and other IoT devices have made buildings smarter and greener. In addition to reduced operational costs, enriched tenant experience, and improved asset utilization and management, smart buildings promote energy conservation as well. AI defines the efficiency of sustainable building.

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