Last week’s Monday Live! The session is dedicated to exploring the future of smart buildings, and this week’s discussion was packed with insights, reflections, and exciting announcements from the recent AHR Expo in Orlando. Here are the key highlights and quotes from the session:
AHR Expo Recap: A Resounding Success
The AHR Expo in Orlando was a major success, with record attendance and a palpable sense of excitement. Ken Sinclair of Automated Buildings noted that many attendees were first-timers, signalling a growing interest in the industry. The event was described as “extremely positive,” with rooms often overflowing during sessions. The rooms were full, sometimes overflowing. It was a great reception and a great change in attitude.
C4SB and Linux Foundation Partnership
One of the most significant announcements at the expo was the partnership between C4SB (Coalition for Smart Buildings Foundation) and the Linux Foundation. This collaboration aims to drive open-source innovation in smarter building technology, making it more accessible and scalable. The move to Linux-based systems is expected to revolutionize the industry, enabling edge devices to operate more efficiently and paving the way for small language models and AI at the edge. The future of our industry is pushing AI out to edge devices, and the Linux platform makes that so much easier.
Digital Twins and Interoperability
The concept of digital twins took center stage, particularly in response to real-world challenges like those faced by the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD). Climatech shared how LACCD’s RFP for a digital twin solution highlighted the need for holistic visibility across siloed systems like HVAC, lighting, and irrigation. The solution? Twinning – a process that abstracts and unifies data from disparate systems into a single, interoperable digital twin.
The Shift to IP and Cybersecurity
The industry is increasingly moving toward IP-based systems, with a strong focus on cybersecurity. Jim Young highlighted that while cybersecurity has been a talking point for years, it’s now becoming a commercial priority. System integrators and vendors recognize the need to secure their systems, and this shift is expected to accelerate in the coming years.
“We’re seeing the real beginnings of cybersecurity commercially now, moving beyond the rhetoric.” – Jim
5. The Role of the Linux Foundation
The Linux Foundation’s involvement was a significant talking point. While many in the industry are familiar with Linux as an operating system, there’s less awareness of the Linux Foundation’s role in fostering open-source collaboration. Rick emphasized better marketing and communication to drive participation and funding for the foundation’s initiatives.
Key Quote:
“Linux means open, speed to market, and competitiveness. But we need to do a lot of marketing to drive home the foundation’s role.” – Rick
6. Generational Change and Industry Disruption
David, joining remotely, highlighted the generational shift in leadership as a catalyst for change. He noted that the industry is ripe for disruption, and the move toward open-source solutions like those promoted by the Linux Foundation will attract new players, including universities and large corporations.
Key Quote:
“We need to enable software to eat this industry, and Linux is the path to getting there.” – David
7. What’s Next?
The session wrapped up with a forward-looking discussion on how to maintain momentum. Key priorities include:
- Communicating the value of the Linux Foundation and C4SB to a broader audience.
- Scaling technical innovations demonstrated at the expo.
- Engaging early adopters like universities and large portfolio owners to drive adoption.
Final Thoughts
The AHR Expo and the discussions during Monday Live underscore a pivotal moment for the smart building industry. The future looks bright with the Linux Foundation’s backing, the push for open-source solutions, and the growing emphasis on interoperability and cybersecurity. As Tracy Markie aptly said, “We’ll look back 10 years from now and see the impact this has had.”
**This summary was created using session transcript, Deepseek AI, Gemini AI, and manual editing.
Stay tuned for next week’s Monday Live!, where we’ll explore what’s next for the industry and how we can collectively seize this opportunity.
