This week they launched BrainBox AI Lab, and it’s not just another corporate “innovation center.”

It’s where they’re going to push HVAC into full autonomy.

December 2024: Trane drops the news: they’re buying BrainBox AI after previously teaming up with them.

At the time, BrainBox was already running in 14,000+ buildings around the world like airports, hotels, retail complexes.

The pitch?

Cut HVAC energy use by up to 25%.

Slash GHG emissions by up to 40%.

Do it all with predictive control and real-time optimization.

By January 2025, the deal was done.

BrainBox AI’s deep learning tech was plugged into Trane’s already massive building management ecosystem.

The Lab’s mission now: Take every piece of AI research they can get their hands on…and turn it into products that hit the market fast.

They’re working on:

• Autonomous controls that think for themselves.

• AI models that predict, adjust, and optimize in real time.

• Physics-informed neural networks (yes, that’s exactly what it sounds like).

• AI for refrigerated transport (because cold chain burns a ton of energy too).

Riaz Raihan, Trane’s Chief Digital Officer, says it straight:

“Demand continues to grow for solutions that reduce energy, emissions, and operational costs..we are bringing together world-class talent and industry-leading technology to shape the next generation of climate innovation.”

Translation:

The market is begging for this.

And whoever solves it first will win.

Jean-Simon Venne, President of BrainBox AI and head of the Lab, isn’t sugarcoating it either:

“AI is accelerating at a pace few could have imagined, unlocking extraordinary opportunities to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.”

Heating and cooling account for 15% of global GHG emissions.

Why it matters: If Trane gets this right, they don’t just make smarter buildings.

They set the standard for the entire industry.

This isn’t R&D for the sake of R&D.

This is about owning the future of HVAC.