Founder and director Philip Dowds tells us about OKTO Technologies, a smart buildings specialist and OKTOair, a specialist wellness division operating across the UK and Ireland.
What does OKTO Technologies do?
I started the firm in 1992, initially selling television antenna installation to local residents in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. Fast forward 29 years and OKTO Technologies is a leader in the design, development and installation of smart building technology and lucky enough to be involved in some iconic residential, commercial and hospitality projects in recent years. OKTO Technologies is proud to offer a full 'end-to-end' solution, the only smart buildings firm in the UK to offer such a broad range of disciplines under one roof and develop technology to make clients' lives easier. The team now comprises 64 expert designers, engineers, project managers, programmers and more across BMS, AV, IT, Lighting, Wellness, Air Filtration, Security and Aftercare & Service specialisms.
We opened our first London office six years ago, currently based in Victoria and are now delivering integrated ‘invisible’ technology for the capital’s most prestigious residential and hospitality projects, working in collaboration with leading developers, architects and interior designers. Some of our recent projects of note include 80 Holland Park, Mayfair Park Residences and The Peninsula Residences, part of the Peninsula Hotel London.
Could you briefly explain how OKTOair works and where it has been implemented so far?
OKTOair is a new suite of wellness services and technology that we launched earlier this year, and includes an AI-led disinfecting filtration system specifically designed to address and eradicate indoor air contamination. The Disinfecting Filtration System (DFS) within OKTOair uses patented technology by HealthWay, a leader in air filtration in the US for over 40 years, initially developed for the US military germ warfare. We are the only distributors of these in the UK. It has been proven during testing to remove a proxy virus for SARS-CoV-2 - the virus that causes Covid-19 - from the air with 99.98% elimination within 10 minutes and 100% in 45 minutes.
Our engineered system uses processors to compare 11 key metrics of the air quality inside and outside the building, displaying this on a detailed dashboard. The system then uses artificial intelligence to understand the most efficient and effective way to improve the quality of the air around you, subsequently ventilating and cleaning the air automatically.
The OKTOair dashboard gives you ultimate control over room temperature (with very high accuracy at +/- 0.3°C) relative humidity, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, air movement rate, particulates, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, total VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), radon, airborne bacteria and viruses.
We currently offer two OKTOair filtration solutions; a portable, stand-alone unit that can be easily fitted in homes and businesses, and a fully engineered, integrated solution suited to larger residential projects which includes the Artificial Intelligence. We are currently in talks and designs are being finalised for its integration into some of London’s most exclusive super prime residential developments and hotels, as well as schools and some of the world’s leading investment banks to integrate the system into their London headquarters.
How important is health and wellbeing in new home design and how can air filtration technology play a part?
Health and wellbeing have been creeping up the agenda for some years, but ever since Covid-19 hit it has forced us to re-evaluate the importance it has on our lives and how we can nurture it in our homes. As a nation we have never collectively spent so much time locked indoors, our homes are more multifaceted than ever; we switch from ‘home gym’ to ‘office space’ to ‘relaxation mode’ all in one room in the space of a single day. Not only does this have a huge impact on our physical health, it can have a very negative impact on our state of mind and how spaces make us feel. There has never been a greater need to feel safe and comfortable at home and smart technology for wellness can play a huge supporting role in achieving that.
Indoor air pollution is an issue that has come to the fore this year. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, pollution levels indoors are typically two to five times worse than those outdoors. As well as exposure to external pollutants such as car fumes, continued exposure to invisible pollutants in the home, such as fuel-burning appliances, newly installed materials and furnishings such as carpet, cabinetry, cleaning products and air fresheners can have drastic long-term health impacts. And now that we are spending so much more time at home, the need to address this issue has never been more important.
Smart technology for wellness such as automated window blinds/drapery human-centric lighting controls to keep our moods in check and air filtration systems for safe, clean and invigorating air boosts productivity, aids sleep, metabolism, comfort and overall health.
How has the pandemic changed developers’ priorities and what has the response to OKTOair technology been like from house builders and developers?
The response from housebuilders, developers and architects has been very strong and positive, as is the increased need to reassure current and future residents that their developments are safe. Where the requirements used to be on air conditioning focused on heating and cooling, the focus has now become more on indoor air quality, improved ventilation and systems that include cleaning and monitoring the air. Even before the current crisis, wellness and indoor air quality had already become an important part of super luxury home design, but since, it has since raised air quality questions and enquiries across the wider residential sector, in particular for larger multi-unit projects.
And finally, besides air filtration, what new technology do you think will be popular in the coming year?
Wellness technology will certainly become more popular, previously seen as a luxury, wellness, health and wellbeing is now at the forefront of everyone’s minds and not just limited to the luxury home and commercial environments. As wellness technology evolves it will become more accessible to all.
I think the concept of ‘touch-free’ technology will also become more popular next year and far beyond. This year we have all become aware of what we touch and how often, so high-tech systems such as doors and lifts operated by facial recognition, voice control and near-field technology, and the adoption of naturally antibacterial surfaces such as copper in our homes will become more widely implemented.
AI and the capabilities of what it can do will certainly become more advanced, we are starting to see an increased interest in our Artificial Intelligent Butler – Baxter, our smart building control system that automatically manages a home or buildings control for lighting, heating/cooling, air quality, access, security energy management and more – all technology centrally managed. Baxter anticipates your move and sets the scene exactly how you like it. Simply and reliably.