Whisker Labs

Whisker Labs operates at the intersection of IoT sensor technology and artificial intelligence to mitigate electrical fire risks for homeowners and provide grid intelligence to the energy and insurance sectors. The company was established in 2014, with some sources indicating Robert Marshall and Chris Sloop as co-founders, while others name Steven Lanzisera and Oren Schetrit. The company's trajectory includes being acquired by Earth Networks in 2016 and subsequently spun off as an independent entity in 2017, with Marshall assuming the role of CEO. This history is rooted in decades of expertise in electromagnetic and atmospheric sensor development.

The core of Whisker Labs' offering is Ting, a plug-in sensor that monitors a home's electrical network in real-time. The device analyzes millions of electrical signals per second to detect micro-arcs and sparks, which are precursors to most electrical fires. This allows the system to identify potential hazards originating from wiring, appliances, or devices connected to the grid. When a threat is detected, the homeowner receives an alert via a mobile application with guidance on the next steps. This preventative approach is credited with preventing a significant majority of potential electrical fires in homes where it is installed.

Financially, Whisker Labs generates revenue through partnerships with insurance companies and energy providers. Insurers like State Farm, SageSure, and Bamboo Insurance offer the Ting sensor and monitoring service to their policyholders, often at no cost, as a loss prevention tool. These programs typically include the hardware, several years of monitoring service, and a credit towards the cost of necessary electrical repairs. This B2B2C model provides a clear value proposition to insurers by reducing costly fire claims while enhancing customer safety. Beyond residential fire prevention, the aggregated data from its network of over a million sensors provides 'Ting Insights,' offering real-time intelligence on the stability, safety, and resilience of the electrical grid to energy companies and other partners.

Keywords: electrical fire prevention, IoT sensor, grid intelligence, home safety, insurtech, predictive analytics, power quality monitoring, risk mitigation, smart home, parametric insurance