Meta, Google, and Tesla are competing to create humanoid robots that are primarily focused on household tasks, but lack professional applications. International energy management company Exergio offers a new use case–integrating humanoid robots into property and energy management for commercial buildings.

March 6, 2025-Vilnius, Lithuania. Exergio, a company specializing in AI-driven energy management tools for commercial buildings, is bringing humanoid robots into the field. In March, it will begin training its first humanoid robot, powered by NVIDIA's GR00T system, to improve management, detect faults, and enhance real-time system monitoring in commercial buildings.

Investment in humanoid robotics is growing-global humanoid market was valued at approximately $2.43 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $66 billion by 2032, which would translate to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45.5% during this period.

Meta, for instance, has recently launched a new division within its Reality Labs to develop AI-powered humanoid robots for physical tasks. Similarly, Tesla is launching its Optimus robot, a general-purpose humanoid meant to perform tasks that are dangerous, repetitive, or boring for humans. Google's DeepMind has partnered with Apptronik to advance humanoid robots for dynamic environments.

While most humanoid robots today are designed for general-purpose tasks such as aiding in household chores, their deployment in specialized professional fields has been limited so far.
According to Donatas Karčiauskas, CEO of Exergio, we need to break this pattern and start using humanoids in professional use-cases, such as energy management in commercial buildings.
"Application of humanoid robots can be used beyond household tasks. They have plenty of potential in professional environments," said Donatas Karčiauskas. "Managing energy in commercial buildings is complex. It's not just about turning off lights or adjusting the thermostat. It requires real-time monitoring, predictive analysis, and the ability to act fast. AI-powered humanoid robots can process vast amounts of sensor data, identify inefficiencies, and respond instantly to anomalies. For example, a robot can detect an overheating component before it fails or pinpoint false alarms that would otherwise waste time and resources."

The humanoid robots used by Exergio will be equipped with NVIDIA's GR00T system, which has an advanced AI framework designed to enhance perception and motor skills.

Unlike proprietary humanoid AI models, GR00T offers open accessibility, and allows companies to train and adapt robots for their specific needs.

"We chose the NVIDIA GR00T platform because it provides the adaptability necessary in real-world industrial applications," explained Karčiauskas. "With GR00T, we can train robots to conduct on-site equipment inspections, detect early signs of system failures, and respond to alerts faster than human operators. In theory, such robots can verify false alarms, analyze inefficiencies in HVAC systems, and even assist in emergency scenarios by guiding personnel to safe exits. We're here to train them."

Exergio's expertise in AI-driven energy management comes from years of optimizing large commercial buildings, where efficiency gains translate directly into cost savings. The company's AI-based solutions applied in shopping mall Ozas in Vilnius, Lithuania, helped reduce energy waste by 29% and save more than €1 million.

Extensive amount of data from different types of properties, ranging from hotels to office buildings, will help train humanoid robots to operate effectively within different energy management scenarios. It will also ensure the robots are well-equipped to analyze, predict, and respond to energy system inefficiencies.

The first training phase for Exergio's humanoid robots is beginning in early March.
"AI has already changed the way we optimize energy in commercial buildings, but humanoid robots bring a new level of functionality. They can physically verify system alerts, inspect critical equipment, and assist in maintenance. That will reduce downtime and improve response times. This will create both energy efficiency but also create buildings that can actively manage themselves," concluded Karčiauskas.

ABOUT EXERGIO
Exergio, is a company born from extensive experience in building maintenance. Recognizing the inadequacies of conventional approaches, the firm introduces an AI-driven system that analyzes real-time building data, enabling informed decision-making and yielding up to 20% in energy savings. This innovative solution goes beyond static systems, ensuring adaptive building responses to environmental factors, thus optimizing energy consumption without compromising comfort or operational efficiency. The company also has ongoing projects in Poland, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Oman, Sweden, and Lithuania and is planning to expand to Germany and France.