Cognitive buildings represent an integrated approach to the Internet of Things (IoT) concept. The number of IoT devices is growing rapidly, along with new requirements for flexible operation. Cognitive buildings can autonomously integrate IoT devices and learn system and user behavior to optimize performance and reduce costs.
The structures in which we live and work will follow us in our daily activities; they will learn about us and use this information to improve the autonomous management of the environment in which we work and live. The buildings will contain networks of sensors connected to the Internet but also communicating with each other. A good example is health care facilities; a cognitive building would be able to identify which rooms have patients in them and subsequently manage the climate in the rooms that are being used based on the number of patients. This could increase the well-being and reduce the recovery time of patients and decrease the risks of contagion between areas of the hospital. In addition, the building could adapt to individual preferences in terms of energy, climate, food, sounds and smells. These cognitive buildings can be connected to each other to create cognitive zones. In these areas, buildings can share energy and maximize energy and use efficiency.
In residential areas, smart homes will manage services such as light, locks, video cameras, thermostats, cars, garage doors, and monitor refrigerators for stocked supplies.
Through the communication between clothing items, smart accessories and our built environment we will be able to monitor our health. These smart buildings will also support better fire safety, e.g. through connectivity, they will be better able to show the best escape route (using smart sensors).
Autonomous machine learning can be used for building maintenance. Sensors can share information about building elements to inform asset owners about the condition of their buildings. Buildings will become self-sufficient, self-optimizing and "self-healing" using data from their sensors. These smart solutions can help reduce maintenance costs and save you money. Data from these smart, cognitive buildings can be used in the design process to develop better buildings based on the experience of users of existing buildings.
