{"id":22066,"date":"2025-06-09T17:24:27","date_gmt":"2025-06-09T17:24:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigancentral.com\/?p=22066"},"modified":"2025-06-19T13:23:55","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T13:23:55","slug":"lamarr-ai-launches-drone-pilot-to-advance-energy-efficiency-in-city-of-detroit-buildings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigancentral.com\/lamarr-ai-launches-drone-pilot-to-advance-energy-efficiency-in-city-of-detroit-buildings\/","title":{"rendered":"Lamarr.AI Launches Drone Pilot to Advance Energy Efficiency in City of Detroit Buildings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Innovative drone inspection is one of the first to launch under the Advanced Aerial Innovation Region (AAIR)\u2014a real-world testing ground for next-generation drone operations based at Michigan Central.<\/em><\/p>\n

Detroit, MI \u2013 June 9, 2025 \u2013 <\/strong>Lamarr.AI, in partnership with Michigan Central and Newlab, has launched a drone inspection pilot to identify opportunities for improved municipal building operations and energy efficiency. Supported by the State of Michigan\u2019s Advanced Aerial Mobility Activation Fund<\/u><\/a>, this initiative utilizes Advanced Aerial Innovation Region (AAIR)<\/u><\/a>\u2014the real-world testing ground created for next-generation drone operations at Michigan Central<\/p>\n

The data, including thermal imaging and building analytics for selected City-owned facilities, will be provided to the City of Detroit to support efforts in identifying energy-saving improvements and optimizing building performance. The City partnered on deploying the technology in three municipal buildings and will be provided building reports as part of a permitted project through the Office of Mobility Innovation\u2019s Transportation Innovation Zone (TIZ)<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lamarr.AI, a Newlab member company, has created a proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) platform that autonomously and rapidly processes data captured by drones to create detailed thermal 3D models and energy simulations. These models will help the City identify thermal inefficiencies, assess structural conditions, and optimize potential upgrades.<\/p>\n

Lamarr.AI is revolutionizing how the health of building exteriors and roofs can be evaluated. Born from collaborative research efforts across MIT, Georgia Tech, and Syracuse University, the platform collects high-resolution data and imagery utilizing drones, thermal imaging, and AI to accelerate the transition to high performance buildings.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis partnership represents what\u2019s most powerful about cross-sector collaboration\u2014bringing together public agencies, startups, and infrastructure partners to accelerate meaningful progress toward sustainability,\u201d said Dr. Tarek Rakha, CEO and Co-founder of Lamarr.AI. \u201cBy combining thermal 3D mapping, AI, and energy performance simulation, we\u2019re making the invisible visible\u2014uncovering inefficiencies and delivering actionable insights that can scale energy retrofits across entire cities. Detroit is leading by example, and we\u2019re proud to support their vision with cutting-edge tools built for impact.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lamarr.AI, supported by FlyGuys and Airspace Link, evaluated multiple city-owned buildings using its AI-powered drone inspection technology. In Southwest Detroit, at the Fourth Precinct and Engine 27, the system identified more than 460 thermal deficiencies \u2013including insulation gaps and potential water infiltration \u2013 within days, a process that would traditionally take weeks. These insights were mapped to 3D models and paired with energy simulations, showing that targeted upgrades could reduce HVAC energy use by up to 22 percent at all tested buildings.<\/p>\n

Recommended improvements are part of the final reports and include a tiered approach to retrofits such as targeted weatherization at the curtainwall, replacement of specific failing windows, continuous wall insulation, and roof enhancements designed to boost comfort, reduce maintenance, and cut emissions. Similar evaluations at two other municipal buildings are helping the City assess the broader impact and scalability of drone-enabled inspections to support energy efficiency and decarbonization goals across its portfolio.<\/p>\n

By combining the capabilities of Detroit\u2019s public agencies, local innovation startups, and infrastructure partners, the project showcases how collaborative drone deployment can directly support city operations. The pilot is also part of Michigan Central\u2019s broader effort to create a replicable framework for responsible drone use in dense urban environments.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis pilot is a prime example of how public-private collaboration can unlock innovative solutions for cities,\u201d said Tim Slusser, Chief Mobility Officer for the City of Detroit. \u201cBy partnering with Lamarr.AI, Michigan Central, and Newlab, we\u2019re not only exploring the future of aerial mobility \u2013 we\u2019re actively applying it to make Detroit\u2019s buildings smarter, more energy efficient, and better equipped for the future. It\u2019s exciting to see Detroit continue to lead as a real-world testbed for technology that creates real impact for our residents.\u201d<\/p>\n

Advanced Aerial Innovation Region<\/strong><\/p>\n

AAIR<\/u><\/a> brings together government, private industry, and technology partners to pilot real-world drone solutions that address urban challenges.<\/p>\n