As smart hardware continues to spread across business parks, office towers, and major retail complexes, the integration of artificial intelligence into public spaces is reshaping the infrastructure of modern cities. At the heart of this shift is the embedding of algorithms, data platforms, and edge devices into physical environments, enabling more responsive and efficient urban services.
The global artificial intelligence and internet-of-things (AIoT) market has expanded steadily within the public sector in recent years. According to China Insights Consultancy, the market was valued at RMB 754 billion (USD 105.6 billion) in 2018. By 2023, it had surpassed RMB 1 trillion (USD 140 billion), reaching RMB 1.65 trillion (USD 231 billion) with a compound annual growth rate of 17%. Projections suggest it could grow to RMB 2.664 trillion (USD 373 billion) by 2028. Separately, Zero Power Intelligence estimates that China’s smart building market alone may hit RMB 3 trillion (USD 420 billion) by 2030.
On July 21, Midea Group officially opened its Global Innovation Park in Shanghai. Located in West Hongqiao in Qingpu district, the project broke ground in early 2021 and completed construction in June. It spans over 80,000 square meters of land with a total built-up area of approximately 400,000 square meters. The park is split into two main zones: a northern office area designed to accommodate more than 10,000 employees, and a southern zone featuring commercial and shared facilities.
Built around principles of sustainability and energy efficiency, the park includes rooftop solar panels covering roughly 20,000 square meters, helping reduce annual electricity consumption by 20%. Midea Building Technologies has equipped the site with its iBuilding digital platform, which manages system-wide coordination and energy use. Combined with high-efficiency equipment like magnetic levitation chillers, the platform supports energy savings across the building’s entire lifecycle.
As one of Midea’s two core domestic R&D hubs, the Shanghai facility plays a central role in the group’s East China strategy and its global innovation network. It complements the company’s Shunde base in southern China and supports R&D across Midea’s full product portfolio.
The iBuilding platform runs key functions across the park. It connects systems such as air conditioning, lighting, and elevators, adjusting operations in real time based on usage patterns and environmental conditions. Employees can check room availability through the platform. Lighting adjusts automatically depending on ambient brightness. During peak hours, elevators and access gates synchronize to assign passengers to the most efficient elevator based on destination, eliminating the need for manual floor selection and reducing wait times. Inside meeting rooms, the system automatically adjusts temperature and humidity based on occupancy.
Whether during work hours, lunch breaks, or public holidays, iBuilding shifts device settings to maintain a balance between energy use and operational comfort.
According to 36Kr, the park uses Linvol-brand elevators across all vertical transportation systems, including passenger lifts, escalators, and freight elevators. These systems are integrated with Midea’s proprietary controls. The iBuilding platform also manages both in-house IoT systems, such as access control and parking gates, and third-party devices, enabling detailed energy monitoring and operational oversight. Additional systems include the MDV8 VRF and Sinan magnetic levitation centrifugal chillers, both developed by Midea.
The platform serves as a unified layer connecting Midea Building Technologies’ four core business lines. It not only demonstrates how smart spaces can be made more efficient, but also how the solution can be scaled across diverse scenarios.
“With iBuilding, we’re rethinking solutions from the user’s point of view, pushing for deeper integration across devices and systems,” said Yang Pengyu, general manager of strategic business at Midea Building Technologies. “When we were simply an equipment provider, our focus was mostly on energy metrics. But as we shift toward becoming a holistic solutions provider, we have to not only meet visible user needs, but also uncover latent ones.”
The iBuilding platform is reportedly already in use beyond business parks. It has been deployed in hospitals, schools, subways, data centers, and airports, adapting to a wide range of operational demands.
Globally, Midea Building Technologies now operates in more than 200 countries and regions. International business accounts for 45% of its operations. The company has also established a new R&D center in Europe under MBT Climate, with nearly 4,000 local employees supporting regional product development and sales.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This article was written by Huang Nan for 36Kr.