Episode Details

Anthony Sapountzis, CTO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and DevReady.Ai welcomes Bob Sharon, Founder and CEO of Blue IoT, back to the DevReady Podcast to explore how AI, IoT and smart-building technology can create healthier, safer and more energy-efficient buildings. Bob explains how Blue IoT combines connected sensors, open-platform building management systems and specialist engineering expertise to centralise fragmented data, detect operational problems and deliver practical solutions. Their conversation covers indoor air quality, intelligent building monitoring, platform development and Blue IoT’s plans for global expansion.

Bob reflects on the decision to rebuild Blue IoT’s original platform after years of learning from customers and real-world building environments. Developed on AWS, the updated platform provides greater scalability, self-service alerts, configurable priorities, user-defined permissions and customisable dashboards. It also gives teams clearer visibility into sensor connectivity, signal strength and battery performance. A configurable cooldown period prevents faulty sensors or equipment from flooding facilities teams with repeated emails and SMS alerts, helping them focus on useful information and respond to critical issues faster.

The discussion also explores the importance of selecting the right connectivity for each smart-building application. LoRaWAN is well suited to low-bandwidth monitoring and controlling smaller systems, while critical infrastructure such as chillers typically requires secure, wired building management systems with reliable, low-latency connections. Bob explains that IoT is an enabler that should be selected according to the problem being solved. The true value lies in outcomes such as reduced operating costs, healthier indoor environments and more efficient facility management.

Indoor air quality is a central focus of Blue IoT’s work. Bob questions whether a small number of sensors can accurately represent conditions across a large office floor, particularly when air quality can vary significantly between rooms and work areas. He shares how Blue IoT identified elevated CO₂ levels at a Gold Coast school and developed an iterative solution involving sensors, remotely controlled exhaust fans, door vents and improved airflow. The project has since contributed to research with Queensland University of Technology and Thrive IAQ, examining the relationship between classroom air quality, absenteeism and student performance.

Bob also explains how Blue IoT is combining AI, machine learning, human engineering, airflow modelling and digital twins to optimise ventilation, energy, water and indoor air quality. The company’s long-term roadmap aims to establish a single source of truth across multiple building systems, enabling property owners and facilities teams to improve comfort, safety and operational performance. With the built environment contributing around 40 per cent of global carbon emissions, Bob sees a major opportunity to reduce costs and environmental impact while making public buildings, offices and shopping centres safer for everyone, including people who are immunosuppressed or living with autoimmune conditions.

Looking ahead, Blue IoT is raising capital to accelerate product development and expand into the UK and European markets. Bob is particularly interested in smart investment that brings valuable connections, strategic guidance and management expertise alongside funding. His vision is grounded in commercially sustainable innovation that helps organisations improve building performance while prot