Butlr, a physical AI (PAI) startup, has announced a successful Series B funding round, raising $38 million to meet growing demand for its innovative building sensor technology. The company, which specializes in anonymously tracking human interaction within spaces, has now raised a total of $68 million, with Foundry leading the latest investment round.
Founded as an MIT Media Lab spinout, Butlr has developed patented technology that combines body heat sensing with machine learning. Their sensors, which can be easily mounted on walls or ceilings, provide valuable insights into how interior spaces are utilized without compromising individual privacy.
The company’s platform captures only temperature data, which is then translated into information about body posture, indoor location, and occupancy. This commitment to anonymity has made Butlr an attractive option for major corporations such as Walmart, Qualcomm, and Verizon, as well as senior living communities and workplaces.
Honghao Deng, CEO and co-founder of Butlr, expressed his vision for the company’s future; “With the ability to better understand how people use interior spaces, we can imagine a not too distant future where Butlr sensors and data are the essential nerve system for buildings throughout the world. Our focus for this strategic funding is to continue to support enterprise customers and meet the strong demand for our technology in senior care.”
The senior care sector is a key target for Butlr’s expansion plans. With the U.S. Census Bureau projecting a 47% increase in Americans aged 65 and older by 2050, coupled with ongoing labor shortages in the industry, Butlr’s technology offers a promising solution. The company’s sensors can detect subtle changes in movement, enabling faster emergency responses and early health interventions.
Sami Herrala, deputy CEO of 9Solutions, a Butlr customer, commented on the importance of such innovations; “Senior care communities are in the midst of massive change. The population around the world is growing older and the shifting demographics demand innovation to support the needs of residents. We selected Butlr based on its strategic vision and ability to execute. It’s clear their offerings address the unmet needs of a global customer base, specifically in senior care, to support safety, longevity and early healthcare interventions.”
Butlr’s latest sensors boast an impressive multi-year battery life and maintain their easy installation process. The company’s API-first platform allows for seamless integration with various systems, enhancing collaboration, safety, and energy efficiency in buildings.
Jiani Zeng, co-founder and chief product officer of Butlr, highlighted the company’s success in building a loyal customer base; “We are successfully building a loyal customer base because our technology provides the insights to support strategic decisions that were previously based on outdated practices or opinions. The infusion of funding and the release of our new products enables Butlr to strategically scale and respond to customer demand across a variety of industries, most notably senior care.”
With this new funding, Butlr plans to focus on expanding its presence in senior care communities, continuing to support its enterprise customers, and meeting the increasing demand for its technology in the senior care sector. The startup aims to further develop its sensor technology and data analytics capabilities to provide even more valuable insights for building management and healthcare interventions.
