Counting customers with the invisible eye: Thermal people counting devices
How does thermal people counting devices work?
The core technology behind these devices is thermal imaging. Unlike traditional cameras that capture visible light, thermal cameras detect infrared radiation, the heat signature emitted by all objects with a temperature above absolute zero. This makes them ideal for people counting as humans are readily identifiable due to their higher temperature compared to their surroundings.
There are two main types of infrared people counters:
Passive infrared (PIR) sensors: These emit no radiation and rely solely on detecting changes in infrared radiation within their field of view. PIR sensors typically use one or more pairs of infrared beams to create a virtual tripwire. When a person crosses the beam, the change in temperature is detected, triggering a count.
Thermal imaging cameras: These advanced sensors create a visual image based on the infrared radiation detected. Sophisticated algorithms then analyze the image to identify and count people within the defined area.
Business benefits of infrared people counting
The applications of infrared people counting extend far beyond simple headcounts. Here’s how businesses can leverage this technology:
Enhanced customer experience: By understanding traffic patterns, businesses can optimize staffing levels during peak hours, reducing wait times and improving customer satisfaction.
Data-driven marketing: People counting data can reveal insights into customer behavior, such as popular browsing areas and dwell times in specific zones. This information can be used to optimize product placement, promotional campaigns, and store layout.
Improved space utilization: By tracking occupancy in real-time, businesses can identify underutilized areas and optimize space allocation. This can lead to cost savings on rent or increased revenue by maximizing usable space.
Energy efficiency: Occupancy data can be used to automate heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, reducing energy consumption when spaces are vacant.
Security and safety: People counting can be integrated with security systems to trigger alerts for unusual activity or unauthorized entries.
Technical considerations
While infrared people counting offers numerous benefits, some technical aspects need to be considered:
Field of view: The sensor’s field of view determines the area it can effectively monitor. Businesses need to ensure proper placement to capture all entry and exit points.
Counting direction: Some sensors can differentiate between incoming and outgoing traffic, providing even richer data.
Privacy concerns: While thermal imaging doesn’t capture identifiable features, some users might have privacy concerns. Look for GDPR-compliant solutions that anonymize heat signatures entirely.
Infrared thermal people counting devices offer a powerful tool for businesses to gain valuable insights into customer behavior and space utilization. With their ability to function in various lighting conditions and their non-intrusive nature, these devices are poised to play a significant role in optimizing operations and improving the overall customer experience.
People counters from Terabee
Terabee’s Time-of-Flight and thermal infrared people counters provide precise data collection, ensuring GDPR compliance and offering opportunities for efficiency in facilities management.
Terabee People Occupancy Counting stands out with its wide area coverage and utilization of the latest thermal technology. Designed to be GDPR-compliant-by-design, this device is particularly well-suited for optimizing expansive areas such as open plan offices and coworking spaces.
By detecting thermal signatures, Terabee People Occupancy Counting ensures non-intrusive and anonymous data collection, safeguarding personal identities effectively.
The Terabee People Flow Counting L-XL and People Flow Counting M 2.0 models prioritize analyzing the movement and patterns of individuals within a space, transcending simple headcounts. These devices excel in optimizing space utilization, minimizing energy consumption, enhancing customer experiences, and facilitating efficient navigation within commercial environments.
Tailor your people counting systems to suit your project’s unique needs. Contact us to speak to an expert about your project’s challenges and requirements.
