Johnson Controls expands AI capabilities in OpenBlue
Johnson Controls has expanded the AI capabilities of its OpenBlue digital building platform, adding agentic AI, autonomous building controls and faster system onboarding.
The OpenBlue update introduces Energy & Comfort Intelligence, an AI-enabled capability for optimizing airside HVAC systems, alongside OBI, an agentic AI assistant for facility teams.
Powered by Nantum AI, Energy & Comfort Intelligence analyzes real-time building conditions and can automatically adjust air handling units, fans and other circulation equipment to reduce energy waste while maintaining indoor comfort.
Financial software company DATEV reduced airside energy use by nearly 10% on applicable equipment after implementing the technology. Johnson Controls said the system executed thousands of automated decisions without generating a single comfort complaint.
DATEV cut airside energy use by nearly 10% using OpenBlue’s AI controls, with no reported comfort complaints.
Agentic AI for facility teams
OBI, short for OpenBlue Intelligence, can surface insights, recommend actions and execute approved workflows while keeping operators in the loop. Facility teams can use text or voice interactions to access data on occupancy, air quality, equipment performance and energy use, as well as automate tasks such as work orders and maintenance prioritization.
Johnson Controls has also introduced automated onboarding that identifies devices and data points and assigns them to relevant categories. The company says this can reduce implementation times by up to 95%, taking deployment in complex facilities from months to days.
OpenBlue also includes Airwall, a zero-trust cybersecurity capability that uses segmented networks, identity verification and encrypted device-to-device connections to restrict access to building systems.
