Butlr

Butlr Technologies, a physical AI startup originating from the MIT Media Lab in 2019, provides a people-sensing platform designed to analyze how humans interact within physical spaces. The company was co-founded by CEO Honghao Deng and CPO Jiani Zeng, who met at an MIT Hackathon. Deng holds a Master of Design Technology from Harvard and was a researcher at the MIT Media Lab's City Science Group, while Zeng is also a former Media Lab researcher. Their shared background in computational design and responsive architecture underpins the company's focus on creating context-aware environments.

The core of Butlr's offering is its Heatic™ sensor, a wireless, mountable device that detects human presence and movement by tracking body heat signatures. This thermal sensing technology is combined with machine learning to provide anonymous data on occupancy, movement patterns, and even body posture, without capturing any personally identifiable information. The company's business model revolves around providing this hardware and its accompanying software platform to clients, which generates spatial intelligence to inform decisions on real estate utilization, energy efficiency, and operational management. Data is accessible to clients through a user-friendly dashboard, customizable reports, and API integrations for use with existing building management systems.

Butlr serves a diverse client base, including commercial real estate, senior living facilities, and retail. In the corporate sector, clients like Qualcomm and Verizon use the technology to optimize workplace design for hybrid work, improve facility management, and enhance employee experience by understanding how spaces are actually used. A significant application is in senior living communities, where the sensors provide a privacy-respecting method for fall detection and monitoring resident well-being. The company has engaged in strategic partnerships with major corporations such as Carrier Global, embedding its technology into their platforms, and has been recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Technology Pioneer. Having raised a total of $68 million as of August 2024, Butlr is focused on expanding its market presence, particularly within the senior care sector.

Keywords: physical AI, spatial intelligence, occupancy sensors, thermal sensing, people sensing platform, real estate technology, smart buildings, facility management, workplace analytics, senior care technology, fall detection, anonymous data, space utilization, MIT Media Lab spinout, Honghao Deng, Jiani Zeng, Heatic sensor, commercial real estate, hybrid work, energy efficiency, asset management, proptech