Butlr

Butlr Technologies, Inc. is a company specializing in artificial intelligence-driven occupancy detection and people-sensing analytics for the built environment. Spun out of the MIT Media Lab in 2019 by co-founders Honghao Deng and Jiani Zeng, Butlr's mission is to make physical spaces people-aware. The company has developed a privacy-first platform that utilizes wireless, thermal sensors to anonymously infer human presence, headcount, and activity. This technology provides real-time and historical spatial insights without capturing any personally identifiable information, addressing growing concerns about data privacy in an increasingly connected world.

Butlr's core offering, the Heatic™ sensor, detects body heat to understand how spaces are used. This data is then processed by AI-powered algorithms to deliver actionable intelligence for various applications. These include workplace optimization, where businesses can make data-driven decisions about office layouts, resource allocation, and hybrid work strategies. In commercial real estate, Butlr's technology helps landlords and facility managers understand tenant needs and improve building operations. The platform also finds applications in senior living facilities for remote monitoring and fall detection, enhancing safety and care. Additionally, retail businesses can leverage Butlr's insights to analyze customer traffic patterns and optimize store layouts. The company emphasizes ease of deployment and cost-effectiveness, with a wireless architecture designed for quick installation and a low total cost of ownership. Butlr aims to provide a scalable infrastructure for spatial intelligence, enabling buildings to become more responsive, efficient, and sustainable while respecting individual privacy. The company has garnered significant investor interest and industry recognition, positioning itself as a key player in the smart building technology sector.