AI-driven automation is popular for optimising comfort and energy efficiency.

Kiran Dutt, President, Electrification Business, ABB India

How do you view the smart developments happening in residential and commercial buildings?

ABB sees the evolution of technology in residential and commercial buildings as a transition towards smart environments that significantly reduce human effort. Our holistic solutions prioritize energy efficiency, safety, and enhancing occupants' well-being. In commercial buildings, ABB Cylon® solutions is envisioned to shape the buildings of tomorrow, creating dynamic workplaces where limitless possibilities abound. Through intelligent systems like advanced lighting control solutions, HVAC controls, Energy management, ABB enables enhanced energy efficiency and heightened security. The integration of digital solutions allows for remote control, providing users with unprecedented flexibility and control from anywhere, at any time.

What are the latest smart solutions from the company for commercial buildings?

The latest smart solutions from ABB Electrification for commercial buildings address the pressing issue of energy management, which has now become a priority at the board level for all organizations due to soaring utility costs and anticipated future increases. ABB Cylon BMS offers top-notch HVAC control, adaptable lighting control, and scalability to integrate additional building services. These solutions provide real-time insights into building conditions and robust energy management capabilities.

By implementing ABB Cylon smart building solutions, businesses can significantly reduce utility expenses by effectively managing HVAC and lighting, which are the primary energy consumers in modern buildings. Additionally, these solutions help prevent up to 20% building energy drift annually through continuous monitoring and optimization of energy usage with ABB Cylon energy management tools.

How is the need for better safety and security in residential buildings pushing the smart systems and solutions?

Smart home security solutions enable homeowners to enhance the safety and security of their residences, transforming their houses into smarter and safer living spaces.

·        Door entry system: A smart door entry system is a crucial component of any intelligent home, providing convenience and security. It enables residents to freely enter and exit their homes while also offering remote monitoring capabilities to track visitors in their absence. With the ABB-Welcome door entry system, homeowners can maintain control over their front door from anywhere via their smartphone. The product lineup includes features such as fingerprint unlocking and camera modules to ensure only authorized individuals gain access.

·        Presence simulation: For individuals seeking enhanced home security while away, ABB’s smart home solutions offer the ability to simulate presence, providing peace of mind. Users can effortlessly design scenarios that mimic activity within their homes, such as raising blinds in the morning, activating lights in the evening, and controlling television settings. The range of possibilities is extensive, allowing homeowners to create dynamic environments that deter potential intruders.

·        Movement detection: Intelligent motion detectors are a standard feature in many smart homes and security setups. By incorporating advanced motion detectors, homeowners equip their residences with a surveillance system akin to giving the home its own sensory capabilities. With our diverse selection of products, users can enjoy a heightened sense of security both indoors and outdoors.

What are the latest smart solutions offered by the company for residential and commercial buildings?

The company's latest smart solutions cater to both residential and commercial buildings, offering cutting-edge features for enhanced comfort, security, design, and energy efficiency. ABB i-bus KNX technology simplifies the integration of tomorrow's smart home advancements into today's residential buildings. With seamless control over functions like blinds, lighting, heating, air-conditioning, and door communication, life becomes simpler and smarter. Whether remotely or from the comfort of one's armchair, controlling the core aspects of home life is just a touch away.

For commercial buildings, ABB Electrification addresses the critical issue of energy management, now a top priority at the board level for all organizations amidst rising utility costs. ABB Cylon BMS provides superior HVAC control, flexible lighting control, and scalability to integrate additional building services. These solutions offer real-time insights into building conditions and robust energy management capabilities to optimize efficiency and reduce costs.

What are the future trends in smart buildings sector? How are you gearing up for meeting the future needs? 

Businesses are increasingly turning to IoT devices to monitor and manage real-time energy consumption in a constantly evolving landscape. AI-driven automation is popular for optimizing comfort and energy efficiency by controlling lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Big data analytics extract valuable insights from building data, facilitating smarter resource allocation and reducing carbon footprints. The exploration of blockchain technology offers secure storage and transparent transactions for vital building-related information. Looking ahead to 2024, innovative technologies such as robots, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) are expected to revolutionize automated building management. The focus on sustainability and energy efficiency will drive the development of smart grids to optimize power usage within buildings. Additionally, biometric security systems, facial recognition technology, voice-activated automation, and smart materials responsive to environmental conditions are anticipated to see increased adoption.

The first step for us is building a decarbonization journey, ABB Ability™ Building Analyzer tracks both buildings data (occupancy, equipment runtime hours, temperatures, and costs) and utilities (energy, gas, water, steam) in real-time and provides actionable insights to help you save money while improving energy efficiency, sustainability, and occupant awareness. As a cloud-based SaaS solution, ABB Ability™ Building Analyzer can extract data from an unlimited number of data points of almost any source and type and display it in one intuitive and easy-to-use interface. Insights are turned into opportunities for improvement, quantified and prioritized in terms of energy consumption, carbon emissions and ROI. The solution is suitable for commercial buildings of any size and tenant-type and allows its users to connect to the service from any geographical location.