Traditional HVAC systems often struggle to optimize performance. This is due to static control strategies and a lack of real-time adaptability. As a result, facility managers and building owners face challenges. Maintaining energy efficiency and occupant comfort becomes difficult in diverse building environments.
Buildings are inherently dynamic. Occupancy fluctuates across weeks and seasons. Configurations change as facility managers close, expand, or repurpose rooms. Insulation and equipment may degrade. Technicians may update them. Teams frequently add new loads. Static optimization based on a single snapshot in time is ineffective. It fails to account for these ongoing changes.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool to address these challenges. It offers both immediate and long-term benefits. AI enables real-time optimization and adaptive control for HVAC systems.
A room controller with AI capabilities can meet these needs at the zone level. It provides real-time HVAC optimization. This reduces energy consumption without compromising occupant comfort. The AI feature also helps facility managers and building owners demonstrate real-time savings. It supports sustainability goals by reducing carbon footprints.
The advantage of technology at the edge
AI-driven control and analytical solutions for smart buildings can be implemented at multiple levels, each providing distinct advantages.
IoT/Embedded AI
The initial layer collects data within buildings using sensors that monitor parameters such as occupancy, room temperature, CO2 levels, valve positions, and Wi-Fi activation. An AI agent on the IoT layer processes this data to make informed decisions. The IoT layer not only supplies data to the AI agent but also improves sensor data quality.
Edge AI
AI embedded in controllers offers great flexibility, such as dynamically adjusting indoor setpoints. By processing control strategies and data at the edge, real-time responses are possible without the need for extensive historical data or storage. This approach allows for the creation of a more sustainable model that can be integrated into a dedicated product.
Cloud AI
Building automation teams widely use cloud-hosted AI solutions due to their extensive resources, enabling the execution of large models and the use of off-the-shelf APIs. They assist in prioritizing HVAC diagnostics, emphasizing energy and carbon impact, and utilizing advanced alarm analytics for root cause analysis and ranking.
AI in room controllers
The Schneider Electric™ SpaceLogic Touchscreen Room Controller is the first commercial room controller to bring AI to the edge. In its special AI Eco Mode, it uses a Dynamic HVAC Optimization algorithm to optimize setpoints and ramp-up/ramp-down sequences. This saves energy. The AI engine calculates optimal temperature paths to ensure comfort. It offers flexible and precise start/stop optimization based on environmental conditions. The AI aggregates room-specific data. It also assesses the building and outdoor environment using weather, temperature, and comfort models.
After assessment, the AI predicts optimal paths. It controls setpoints to provide ideal start and stop times. It also considers input from a comfort agent. The AI learns through an occupant feedback loop. It continuously adjusts for more precise decisions. The controller is designed to meet ASHRAE 55 standards, ensuring safety and comfort compliance.
With AI at the device level, the system gains reliability. It also enhances security, protects privacy, and improves cost-effectiveness.
Responsible AI
At Schneider Electric, we view all AI use cases through the lens of “Responsible AI.” The efficiencies gained must outweigh the energy cost of the AI engine. This is where AI at the edge excels. The room controller makes HVAC adjustments periodically. It operates within a room, throughout the day, with low-latency (1–2 seconds) decision-making. This reduces energy waste. It also maximizes real-time efficiency.
The system saves bandwidth at the server level. It operates independently. The model sends only the most relevant data to the Building Management System (BMS).
As a result, the system delivers energy savings. It avoids additional energy costs from running the model. It also reduces the need for energy-intensive cloud processing. This lowers operational expenses.
Finally, AI at the edge is a stand-alone capability. It ensures strong reliability. Connectivity disruptions do not affect the model. Each controller optimizes its zone independently.
Results
The results speak for themselves: Schneider Electric conducted a quantitative analysis at active building sites over a period of two and a half months comparing energy consumption with and without AI controls. The results indicated that with AI controls, the room controller provided up to 15% in energy savings.
Recognition
The Touchscreen Room Controller has been recognized for its groundbreaking application of AI technology with the following awards:
- 2025 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award
- 2025 Gold Winner – HMI Product of the Year (Control Engineering)
- 2025 AI Breakthrough Award
This innovative use of AI sets a new standard in smart building solutions, demonstrating a commitment to excellence and forward-thinking design.
Unlock the full potential of your building’s efficiency and comfort with the Schneider Electric SpaceLogic Touchscreen Room Controller. Learn more about AI at the edge by reading our whitepaper and watching our Dynamic HVAC Optimization video to explore how this innovative solution can transform your space.
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