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What would it mean for the real estate industry if we could visit our facilities before they’re built? If we could walk around a virtual building to better understand the space and test how various systems work in real-time, before making adjustments. If we could take owners and investors on a tour of their future facility to help them engage with the design, and better appreciate the limitations and opportunities. That is what is being promised by the introduction of game engines to the built environment sector. Game engines are software frameworks developed to create video games. They are the foundation upon which video games are built. While some major game engines are kept in-house (id Software and Electronic Arts), others are open (Epic/Unreal and Unity) to game developers and others, like a new generation of building designers. These architects and engineers want to use game engines to immerse themselves and their clients into their […]

The global smart buildings landscape is heavily populated with new entrants, according to our new research, which identified 1,221 startups founded in the last ten years that serve the management and operations phase of commercial real estate. In total 35% of startups have been acquired since 2013, and 6% are closed or inactive. Funding for […]

In this Research Note, we examine Azbil, a Japanese public company with a leading position in the domestic building automation market. The financial highlights and growth strategy analysis of the Building Automation business is based on their FY2023 annual results, year ending 31st March 2024, Annual Report 2023, and investor presentations. Azbil Building Automation Financial Highlights The Building Automation (BA) business provides air conditioning control technologies incorporated in numerous large-scale facilities, including office buildings, hotels, and shopping centers. They are used to conduct detailed measurements of temperature, humidity, and other factors and control facilities and equipment in a manner that delivers comfort and energy savings. The BA business, the largest of three business units, accounts for 46.3% of consolidated net sales for the Azbil Group. Azbil Presentation, 13 May 2024 BA sales, year ending 31 March 2024 increased 4.7% year-on-year to 134.65 billion yen (around USD $861 million). Segment profit increased to 19.3 billion yen, […]

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) in commercial buildings is far-reaching, leading to a broad adoption landscape. The strategic positioning of key players in the AI market for commercial buildings is a critical aspect of understanding the current landscape and the future potential of AI. “Many large building automation firms are at the forefront of integrating AI technologies into their existing portfolios,” our recent AI research study explains. “These companies are leveraging their extensive industry expertise, global presence, and substantial installed base to drive the adoption of AI-powered solutions in commercial buildings.” These major firms, as well as semiconductor giants, are making strategic investments in innovative startups, acquiring complementary technologies, and forging partnerships with leading AI and IoT companies, to expand their capabilities in delivering new solutions that optimize energy efficiency, enhance occupant comfort, and improve operational performance. Building Automation Majors Invest for AI in Commercial Buildings Major players in building automation have been positioning […]

Here is the recording and presentation from our live stream where we shared insights from our new research into the 2024 Smart Building Startup Landscape. Memoori has seen a 33% Decrease in Funding Rounds Compared to the Previous Year. However, with $3.5 Billion invested in 2023 and over $2 Billion already invested in the first […]