B-SMART: A reference architecture for artificially intelligent autonomic smart buildings

The pervasive application of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms is transforming many industries and aspects of the human experience. One very important industry trend is the move to convert existing human dwellings to smart buildings, and to create new smart buildings. Smart buildings aim to mitigate climate change by reducing energy consumption and associated carbon emissions. To accomplish this, they leverage artificial intelligence, big data, and machine learning algorithms to learn and optimize system performance. These fields of research are currently very rapidly evolving and advancing, but there has been very little guidance to help engineers and architects working on smart buildings apply artificial intelligence algorithms and technologies in a systematic and effective manner. In this paper we present B-SMART: the first reference architecture for autonomic smart buildings. B-SMART facilitates the application of artificial intelligence techniques and technologies to smart buildings by decoupling conceptually distinct layers of functionality and organizing them into an autonomic control loop. We also present a case study illustrating how B-SMART can be applied to accelerate the introduction of artificial intelligence into an existing smart building.

Automated summary

The widespread application of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms is revolutionizing various industries and aspects of human experience. A significant industry trend is the transition to smart buildings, which aim to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions to mitigate climate change. Artificial intelligence, big data, and machine learning algorithms are utilized in smart buildings to learn and optimize system performance. However, there is a lack of guidance for engineers and architects on how to effectively apply these algorithms and technologies in the field of smart buildings. This paper presents B-SMART, the first reference architecture for autonomous smart buildings. B-SMART decouples conceptually distinct layers of functionality and organizes them into an autonomous control loop, facilitating the application of artificial intelligence techniques and technologies in smart buildings. A case study is also presented to demonstrate how B-SMART can accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence in existing smart buildings.