Your step-by-step guide to setting up your Butlr System.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Set up using Butlr Studio (recommended)
Set up without Butlr Studio
Provide materials to Butlr support team
Butlr Dashboard and API access
Set up using Butlr Studio
Download Butlr Studio
Download from Apple Store for MacOS
Create a Virtual Space
1. Log in to setup app
Inside the Butlr Kit, find a label sticker with log in credentials.
2. Click "Create Space"
Note: Starter kits accounts come with a space already created. If there is already a space in the account, please skip ahead to step 4.
3. Name your space and click "Create"
Click on a space name to enter and edit a space.
The space name can also be edited later, after clicking into the space.
4. Upload floor plan (optional)
A floor plan provides a good reference of room sizes and locations, makes it easier for you to create and plan the location of your devices in the space.
Create virtual rooms to approximately resemble the physical floor plan
Click "Add Room" and a room will appear on the canvas.
Rename the room in the room information panel and it will appear on the top room border.
Select a Room Tag from the dropdown list.
Adjust room size by entering X and Y values.
Add all rooms that will be monitored by Heatic sensors.
Tip: Do not add rooms without Heatic sensors. Rooms without sensors will appear as blank pages on the Butlr Dashboard.
Arrange rooms to approximately resemble the physical floor plan.
Tip: "Snap Alignment" can be disabled or enabled from the Settings menu at upper right.
Tip: With a room selected, click the "Delete Room" button at lower right to remove from space.
Add fixtures such as equipment and furniture to your virtual space
This gives Butlr key contextual information in order to accurately differentiate people from heat-emitting objects, learn about changes in the spatial environment and track human activity related to a particular fixture.
Save the space
Device placement planning
In the left tool bar, click “Add Sensors” → “Add Placeholder”, a sensor placeholder will appear on the canvas.
In the sensor information panel, select the sensor Mount as either "Ceiling" or "Wall". This will automatically update the sensor coverage shape displayed. You can skip this step if you are not sure how each sensor will be mounted/do not know the detailed environment around that location.
Enter the sensor installation height to match the ceiling height of the room (enter a number below 10.4 feet/3.2 meters). This will automatically update the sensor coverage area. The maximum installation height for Heatic sensor is 10.4 feet (3.2 meters), if your ceiling height is above this limit, consider using our wall mounts or drop rods.
Move sensor placeholders to desired locations.
On the right information panel, select and change the “mode” of sensor placeholders based on the applications.
Avoid and/or minimize overlapping between sensors when possible.
Achieve the maximum coverage based on the number of devices you ordered and/or plan to order.
"Delete” or “Rotate” sensor placeholder using the buttons in the right panel.
Set up the Hive
For standard Starter Kit (one device group only), go ahead and set up 1 Hive and 3 sensors following the instructions below. For custom orders, we recommend installing devices one group at a time, following the layout on the map provided.
1. Take out Hive from a Kit
2. Add the Hive in the Butlr Studio
Click "Add Hive" and enter the Hive’s serial number, which can be found on a label on the back of the Hive.
If your space contains multiple Hives, add all Hives into the space following the same process.
3. Install antenna and power up Hive
4. Connect Hive to Internet
Using Wi-Fi:
- Tap anywhere in the upper half of the screen to access Network Settings.
- Tap on the "Connect to New Network" button, then wait a few moments for the network scan to complete.
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Select the desired wi-fi network from the list.
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Enter password (8 characters minimum), or leave blank if unsecured. Press "Connect".
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The Hive will return to the Network Settings page when connected. Confirm that the status is "Connected to Internet".

Using Ethernet
Plug an Ethernet cable into the port next to the Hive's antenna. Allow 30 seconds for the Hive network status to update, and confirm that the status is "Connected to Internet".

Using LTE USB Modem
Plug an LTE USB Modem into the USB port. Allow up to 3 minutes for the Hive network status to update, and confirm that the status is "Connected to Internet".
Make sure to disconnect the Wi-Fi before plugging in the USB Modem.
Set up Sensors
Bring a laptop/iPad with Butlr Studio installed to the site.
1. Open the space in Butlr Studio
Inspect the site and adjust sensor placeholder settings (locations/mount options) based on real-world scenarios.
- Measure the ceiling height and update sensor height information in Butlr Studio accordingly.
- Make sure nothing will block the sensor's field of view.
- Move and re-plan sensor placeholder locations accordingly.
2. Turn on sensors
Turn on all sensors by using the power switch on the front of the sensor, as shown below.
After sensors are turned on, they will automatically connect to the Hive.
The sensor LED will blink blue when powered on and searching for a connection. Upon successful connection to the Hive, the sensor LED will light solid green for 3 seconds. While connected to the Hive, the sensor LED will remain off.
This process may take a few minutes. If the sensor is not on, check if the battery is installed correctly.
3. Add Live Sensors to Butlr Studio
- In the Space Designer App, the number of connected sensors will show up in red on the “Add Sensors” → “Add Live Sensors” button.
- Click "Add Live Sensor" to add sensors to your space one at a time. You will see the sensor coverage with a real-time detection heatmap.
- Drag a “Live Sensor” into a “Sensor Placeholder”; the Live Sensor will snap to the placeholder.
4. Install Sensors
- Click on a Live Sensor in the Studio app. The sensor's MAC address can be found in the information panel at right. Use the MAC address (found on the back of each sensor) to identify the correct physical sensor.
- Check that the physical sensor installation location is clean, not obstructed, and is suitable for the intended mount type (wall or ceiling mount).
- Double check sensor orientation: The arrows on the mount and/or the back of the sensor must match the direction of the arrows on the virtual sensor in the app. If needed, rotate the virtual sensor in the app to match reality.
- Install the sensor using the appropriate mount.
Refer to the Mounting Guide for more details on the different mount types and how to mount sensors.
- After installation, take a quick walk under the sensor and confirm that the heatmap in the app shows your movement correctly.
- Μove on to the next sensor until all sensors are installed and Butlr Studio represents the true locations/orientations of each sensor.
Set up without Butlr Studio
The Butlr Team can assist you with the Space Planning so you can directly start using the Butlr People Sensing Platform via the Dashboard.
1. Reach out to support@butlr.io, and provide the following materials:
- Floor plan of the site
- Details of room usage/estimated occupancy/furniture
- Include kit number in the header (can be found on the sticker inside the box (ex. eval_XX)
2. Our team will update your space and email you back once the process has been completed.
Butlr Dashboard and API access
Go to app.butlr.io, and enter credentials to log in
Dashboard log in credentials are the same as those for the Butlr Studio app, and can be found on a sticker inside your kit.
The Dashboard provides a summary of the data for your spaces.
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To view information about a specific room, look for the room’s name on the left menu bar.
- Rooms must be named and set up in the setup app, and cannot be created directly from the dashboard.
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You can access more in-depth details (ex. historical occupancy, live coverage, daily entry/exit) for each space and can monitor usage of each room.