Building automation technologies and the products to improve indoor air quality

Gaurav Burman, President of APAC, and BobFrench, Chief Evangelist at 75F, and share their views on new building automation technologies and the products to improve indoor air quality.

What sets the 75F intelligent system for buildings apart from other automation systems?
The 75F system uses a unique IoT, BMS (Building management system), and cloud-forward technology stack. Unlike traditional systems, it comes pre-configured for automatic networking and cloud-based design, enabling advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics to provide superior comfort and energy efficiency.

By analysing building behaviour patterns and using AI and machine learning to anticipate demand, we can reduce cooling demand and accurately predict the impact of various factors on building operations.

What challenges do you face in maximising energy efficiency and building operations, and how do you address them?
One of the most significant challenges we face is raising awareness among consultants, contractors, and energy engineers about the benefits of new energy-saving technologies. By working closely with these groups, we can help educate clients and ensure that new technologies are implemented effectively.

How do you use IoT to enhance energy efficiency and occupant comfort in buildings?
By deploying more sensors throughout buildings and leveraging IoT technology, we can gather more data and create a detailed digital twin in the cloud. This allows facility managers to gain deeper insights and improve efficiency.

How do you help businesses reduce energy costs and consumption?
We help organisations implement automation in their buildings, making adopting energy-saving technologies easier and more cost-effective. Our systems are pre-configured for easy setup and provide all the necessary metrics and networking capabilities.

What new developments can we expect from 75F?
We are launching managed services this year, enabling our team to proactively monitor building operations and alert facility managers to emerging issues. We are also introducing event controllers with advanced features and Hyper Stat and Helio Note devices, which combine high IQ with building management systems and sensors for measuring indoor air quality.

What factors have contributed to the increased demand for building automation systems?
In the past, building automation systems were only accessible in major cities and critical commercial organisations. However, demand has significantly increased in recent years due to rising labour costs and energy expenses. This demand is spreading beyond metro areas to include SMBs, MSME enterprises, government organisations, tier three and four cities, smaller healthcare facilities, upcountry locales, and the automotive engineering sector. Providers can tap into this latent demand by increasing awareness and enhancing accessibility, engaging with specifying engineers, contractors, and systems integrators to interact with clients evaluating these technologies.

How long will it take to increase domestic market penetration, particularly for the residential testing business?
The largest market for automation systems in India is the residential sector. This has a significant impact on the market as a whole. Initially, building automation was implemented in large tech parks and commercial structures, but it took some time to extend to the residential sector. There is growing interest in implementing automation in large warehouses, shopping centres, retail chains, and diagnostic centres. One of the reasons for this is the relatively low energy costs for households. However, if you invest in an automation system that saves energy, be prepared to wait a while for it to pay off.

We predict that there will be significant growth in the home automation market in the coming years as more people choose to adopt it. In other regions outside or near India, mixed-use structures that feature residential on upper levels and retail on the ground floor can be found, such as in the Middle East or Singapore. Depending on the situation, these buildings often use a centralised system that provides cooling or warmth. While there is a desire for this type of automation in India, it may take some time to become a reality.

What is the potential for India to develop technologically and surpass some of the more developed economies, and what factors could contribute to this growth?
There are two aspects to consider to evaluate whether India is a developing or developed country. The first aspect looks at various indicators and criteria, indicating that India is an emerging country with the potential to develop technologically and surpass some more developed economies. For example, India has made significant progress in mobile telephony. It can innovate and create fresh, affordable solutions for energy efficiency due to the enormous quantity and demand in this part of the planet.

As a participant in the industry, there is an opportunity to advance technologically and surpass developed countries, which can serve as a stimulus for the policy framework. The government’s recent programs that reward companies for attaining a specific level of efficiency or accreditation are highly regarded, and greater uniformity and the application of consistent policies are desired. However, before clients accept the technology and suppliers can lower the price, the policy structure must be presented and shown to be transparent and effective.

How can one benefit from implementing a building automation system?
Our product is a Building Management System (BMS) that operates on the Internet of Things (IoT). Our BMS solution incorporates advanced technologies such as cloud computing, machine learning, artificial intelligence, wireless radio frequency communication, and more, whether hardware or software solutions. During demonstrations, we showcased the integration of these technologies into our products. Our mission is to leverage the latest technologies to make them accessible and affordable to our customers and make their lives more comfortable and energy-efficient.

What kind of commitment do you have towards sustainability, especially from an Indian perspective?
Our focus and purpose are centred around sustainability. We offer our clients sustainable solutions to save significant energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, especially in India’s coal-based energy economy. Additionally, we collaborate with environmentally-friendly producers who follow ISO 14,001 standards and limit the use of hazardous substances. As a young business, we strive to impact society positively. One way we do this is by running campaigns to encourage our employees to conserve energy, especially in underdeveloped areas of the country. We also ensure that the circular economy, a crucial component of our sustainability strategy, is implemented throughout the company