Skip to main content

What is CitadelMesh?

CitadelMesh is a platform that makes commercial buildings intelligent, safe, and autonomous.

Think of it as giving your building a nervous system (sensors and actuators) and a brain (AI agents that make decisions).

The Simple Explanation​

Traditional Building Systems​

Buildings today have smart equipment, but it's isolated:

🚪 Access Control System
   - Badge readers
   - Door locks
   - No awareness of other systems

📹 Video Surveillance
   - Cameras
   - Recording
   - No coordination with HVAC or doors

❄️ HVAC System
   - Heating, cooling
   - Scheduled operation
   - Doesn't know about security events

💡 Lighting & Energy
   - Timers and schedules
   - No awareness of occupancy or threats

Problem: These systems don't talk to each other or make intelligent decisions together.

CitadelMesh Approach​

We connect these systems and add autonomous intelligence:

🤖 Security Agent
   ↕ Monitors cameras, controls doors
   ↕ Detects threats, coordinates response

⚡ Energy Agent
   ↕ Optimizes HVAC, manages demand
   ↕ Reduces costs while maintaining comfort

🎯 Building Orchestrator
   ↕ Coordinates agents
   ↕ Resolves conflicts (safety > security > cost)

🛡️ Safety Policies (OPA)
   ↕ Validates every action
   ↕ Prevents unsafe operations

Result: The building can perceive its environment, reason about what to do, and act autonomously while staying safe.

Real-World Example​

Before CitadelMesh​

Fire alarm goes off at 2:30 PM (150 people in building):

  1. ❌ Fire alarm sounds
  2. ❌ HVAC keeps running → spreads smoke
  3. ❌ Some doors locked → blocks evacuation
  4. ❌ Manual intervention needed
  5. ❌ 10+ minutes to coordinate response

After CitadelMesh​

Fire alarm goes off at 2:30 PM:

  1. ✅ Security Agent: Unlocks all exits (0.5 seconds)
  2. ✅ Energy Agent: HVAC smoke evacuation mode (1 second)
  3. ✅ Orchestrator: Coordinates emergency protocol (2 seconds)
  4. ✅ All systems working together for safe evacuation
  5. ✅ 2-second coordinated response

Key Components​

1. AI Agents​

Specialized software that can:

  • Perceive: Monitor cameras, sensors, meters
  • Reason: Detect threats, optimize energy, find patterns
  • Act: Lock doors, adjust HVAC, send alerts
  • Learn: Improve from experience

2. Safety Policies​

Rules that agents must follow:

  • ❌ Can't lock emergency exits during occupancy
  • ❌ Can't set temperature outside safe range (60°F - 85°F)
  • ❌ Can't bypass safety checks
  • ✅ All actions logged for audit

3. Vendor Integration​

Works with equipment you already have:

  • Schneider Electric building systems
  • Avigilon cameras
  • EcoStruxure energy management
  • And more through MCP adapters

4. Edge-First Architecture​

Runs at the building, not in the cloud:

  • ⚡ Low latency (under 200ms responses)
  • 🔒 Data privacy (stays on-premises)
  • 💪 Works offline (no internet required)
  • 📊 Cloud optional (for multi-site coordination)

What Problems Does It Solve?​

1. Uncoordinated Systems​

Before: Security locks doors, HVAC wastes energy cooling empty rooms After: Agents coordinate - energy adapts to security state

2. Slow Response Times​

Before: Manual intervention, 10+ minute response After: 2-second autonomous emergency coordination

3. Energy Waste​

Before: HVAC runs on simple schedules, no optimization After: Mathematical optimization saves 20-30% energy costs

4. Safety Risks​

Before: Human errors, unsafe automation After: Policy validation prevents all unsafe actions

5. Vendor Lock-In​

Before: Stuck with one vendor's ecosystem After: Works with any vendor through MCP adapters

Who Is It For?​

Commercial Buildings​

  • Office buildings
  • Industrial facilities
  • Healthcare campuses
  • Educational institutions
  • Multi-tenant properties

Facility Managers​

  • Reduce energy costs
  • Improve occupant comfort
  • Faster emergency response
  • Better security coordination

Building Owners​

  • Lower operating costs
  • Increase property value
  • Meet sustainability goals
  • Reduce insurance risks

System Integrators​

  • Vendor-neutral platform
  • Standard integration pattern
  • Comprehensive observability
  • Production-ready

Core Principles​

1. Safety First​

Every agent action validated by policies. Fail-safe defaults. Complete audit trail.

2. Vendor Neutral​

Not locked into one brand. MCP adapters work with any system.

3. Edge Autonomy​

Runs at the building. Works offline. Cloud is optional.

4. Open Source​

Transparent, auditable, extensible. Community-driven development.

How Does It Work?​

The 3-Second Overview​

  1. Sensors detect something (camera sees person, meter reads power)
  2. Agent reasons about it (threat analysis, optimization calculation)
  3. Policy validates the decision (OPA checks safety rules)
  4. System acts if safe (lock door, adjust HVAC, send alert)
  5. Observability logs everything (audit trail, metrics, tracing)

The 30-Second Version​

📹 Camera Event: "Person detected in server room at 11 PM"
   ↓
🛡️ Security Agent: "Analyze threat"
   → Person not recognized
   → After hours (should be empty)
   → High-value area
   → Threat score: 85/100 (HIGH)
   ↓
🎯 Decision: "Lock perimeter, activate cameras, alert security"
   ↓
🔒 Policy Check: "Is this action safe and authorized?"
   → Agent authorized: ✅
   → No emergency exits blocked: ✅
   → Action logged: ✅
   → ALLOWED
   ↓
⚙️ Execute:
   → Doors locked (0.8 seconds)
   → Cameras activated (1.2 seconds)
   → Security team alerted (1.5 seconds)
   ↓
⚡ Energy Agent: "Coordinate response"
   → Restore lighting in affected zones
   → Maintain energy savings elsewhere
   ↓
📊 Result: Building secured in 2 seconds, energy efficient

What Makes It Different?​

vs. Traditional Building Automation​

  • Traditional: Pre-programmed rules, manual coordination
  • CitadelMesh: AI agents, autonomous coordination, adaptive intelligence

vs. Cloud-Only Solutions​

  • Cloud-Only: Latency, internet dependency, privacy concerns
  • CitadelMesh: Edge-first, works offline, data stays on-site

vs. Vendor-Specific Platforms​

  • Vendor Platform: Locked in, limited integration
  • CitadelMesh: Vendor-neutral, MCP adapters for any system

vs. DIY Integration​

  • DIY: Months of development, no safety guarantees
  • CitadelMesh: Production-ready, policy-based safety, comprehensive testing

Ready to Learn More?​

CitadelMesh: Intelligent buildings that think, learn, and protect themselves with zero-trust safety.