Bumblebee Spaces

Bumblebee Spaces is a San Francisco-based tech startup that has developed a modular ceiling system utilizing robotics and artificial intelligence to optimize living spaces. Founded in 2017 by Prahlad Athreya and Sankarshan Murthy, a former Apple and Tesla engineer, the company aims to counter the housing shortage in urban areas like San Francisco.

Inspired by the efficient organization of space within beehives, Bumblebee Spaces has created a system that stores furniture in the typically unused ceiling space. The system comprises a modular structure that raises and lowers different types of furniture from the ceiling based on the user's needs, controlled through voice commands or the Bumblebee app. The furniture units, including beds, desks, consoles, and workstations, are designed to slide out like Tetris blocks, transforming a single room into a multi-functional space.

Equipped with AI technology, the system learns user behavior and preferences, automatically adjusting the room layout based on routines or voice commands. It also incorporates object recognition to help users locate their belongings stored within the system. Bumblebee Spaces offers custom-fitted modules for various unit layouts, catering to different lifestyles.

While primarily working with real estate developers to integrate its system into existing and new apartments, the company also provides services to individual homeowners. As of June 2022, Bumblebee Spaces had installed its retractable furniture in luxury buildings like the Chorus and The Landing in the San Francisco Bay Area.