Smarter Buildings, Real-Time Results: How Runwise and TI Are Transforming Energy Efficiency

We live in a world where everything is tracked in real time. Order food, and you can watch the delivery driver turn onto your street. Swipe your credit card, and you get an instant notification. Yet, for many buildings, especially those with hundreds of tenants, the systems inside are still stuck in the past. Too often, the first sign of a broken boiler or failing system is a phone call from an angry resident.

Runwise is working to change that. Their platform brings buildings into the real-time age with a network of sensors and controls designed to run properties more efficiently and keep occupants more comfortable. It’s a simple idea—make buildings smarter—but it’s powered by sophisticated wireless technology and a forward-thinking approach to sustainability.

At its core, Runwise is about more than just convenience. The system not only reduces energy consumption but also helps owners save money while doing it. In fact, financial incentives become the driver, and environmental benefits follow naturally as a byproduct. It’s a win-win: better comfort for tenants, lower operating costs, and a meaningful impact on climate goals.

Runwise leaders emphasize that widespread adoption comes down to making smart solutions affordable and scalable. Their partnership with Texas Instruments (TI) has been key to making that vision possible.

When Runwise first connected with TI, they were at what they called a “radio frequency dead end.” TI’s expertise helped them quickly bring to market an FCC-approved device with long range and a battery life of up to 10 years. That breakthrough was transformative for the business, laying the foundation for a scalable platform.

Since then, TI’s advances—like frequency hopping, better range, and ultra-low energy consumption—have only improved Runwise’s network reliability. Together, the companies continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in wireless building management.

One of the biggest challenges of wireless communication in dense urban environments is interference and signal penetration. Runwise leverages the 7 GHz radio spectrum, which offers both long range and the ability to cut through obstacles.

Think of it like music leaking from another car while you’re driving: you usually hear the low bass, not the high-pitched vocals. That’s because lower frequencies penetrate barriers more effectively. Similarly, 7 GHz radio waves allow signals to travel through walls and other obstructions, keeping connectivity strong in crowded building environments.

Even better, the license-free 7 GHz spectrum has far lower interference levels than many other frequency bands. It’s like having a quiet conversation in a library instead of trying to shout over the noise of a concert.

For Runwise, the TI development environment was just as important as the hardware. Using TI’s SmartRF Studio, their engineers could prototype ideas, test interfaces, and fine-tune every parameter before committing to hardware. That flexibility allowed them to create their own proprietary wireless protocol, AltBeam™—a system fully customized for the unique demands of building automation.

The payoff? A platform that delivers reliable wireless control, runs on batteries for a decade or more, and avoids the challenges of rewiring historic buildings where drilling and new cabling aren’t an option.

At the heart of the Runwise approach is a deceptively simple idea: turn systems on and off only when needed. While easy to say, that’s a massive technical challenge across complex buildings with hundreds of units.

But by pairing TI’s wireless innovation with Runwise’s control platform, that challenge is being met head-on. Together, they’re delivering technology that not only helps meet ambitious climate goals but also makes life better for property owners and tenants alike.

Climate change is one of the toughest problems of our time, and progress requires both hard work and great technology. Partnerships like Runwise and TI show what’s possible when innovative ideas meet the right tools.

Buildings don’t have to lag behind the rest of the real-time world anymore. With smart sensors, efficient wireless systems, and the drive to make sustainability financially rewarding, the future of building management is already here—and it’s running smarter every day.

To Learn More Visit: Texas Instruments (TI.com)