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AI Technology for Smart Buildings: LTE Route from Edge to Cloud
Technology Category
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - Cloud Computing
- Networks & Connectivity - Cellular
Applicable Industries
- Buildings
- Cement
Applicable Functions
- Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases
- Building Automation & Control
- Inventory Management
Services
- Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
- System Integration
The Challenge
BrainBox AI, a leader in building automation, uses advanced artificial intelligence technology to automate Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save money. The company's technology gathers and analyzes data from a building's HVAC system, combines it with external data such as weather conditions, and feeds it through the cloud to BrainBox AI's prediction models. However, the company faced challenges in ensuring uninterrupted data flow from the building to the cloud. They needed a wide-area network (WAN) solution independent from the on-site, wired ISP. The variance across sites was slowing down deployment, and the limitations of guest-level access left BrainBox AI's IT team wanting additional control. Furthermore, BrainBox AI's hardware enclosure is compact, which restricts the size of the WAN solution that can be used. The company also sought widespread expansion of its HVAC automation system and needed highly scalable routers that support cloud-based visibility and adjustments.
The Customer
BrainBox AI
About The Customer
BrainBox AI is an innovative leader in the world of building automation. The company is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, and uses advanced artificial intelligence technology for HVAC systems. Their technology uses deep learning, cloud computing, and custom algorithms to proactively optimize the energy consumption of buildings. BrainBox AI's devices and software gather and analyze data from a building's HVAC system, which includes components such as fans, chillers, and boilers. The HVAC is connected to the building management system on the local-area network (LAN). This information is combined with external data, such as present and future weather conditions, and then fed through the cloud to BrainBox AI’s prediction models, which are driven by deep learning.
The Solution
BrainBox AI leveraged Cradlepoint’s NetCloud Service for IoT and one IBR200 router in each building within the company’s portfolio. This solution enabled a “bring your own network” approach that can be replicated time and time again and centrally monitored and managed from anywhere through NetCloud Manager. The company deployed Cradlepoint’s NetCloud Service for IoT with hundreds of IBR200 routers, which fit nicely in BrainBox AI’s small and sleek units. Along with an array of actionable insights from dashboards ranging from cellular health to data security, the NetCloud Advanced settings allow centralized in-band management of devices on the LAN. The ability to standardize data transport by using LTE instead of each building’s ISP has given them the autonomy and control they need to keep their systems running all the time.
Operational Impact
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