How Time-of-Flight technology is a privacy-friendly solution for people counting
While traditional methods of people counting often rely on cameras or other intrusive technology, Time-of-Flight (ToF) technology offers a privacy-friendly alternative.
In this article, we’ll explore how ToF works, why it can’t gather personal data, and why it’s a better choice than camera-based systems.
What is Time-of-Flight technology?
Time-of-Flight technology uses infrared light to detect the distance between the sensor and an object. It works by emitting a pulse of light and then measuring how long it takes for that light to bounce back to the sensor.
By doing this multiple times per second, the system can create a 3D map of the surrounding environment and track the movement of objects within it. This makes it ideal for people counting applications, where it can detect the presence and movement of individuals without the need for cameras or other invasive sensors.
Why Time-of-Flight technology is privacy-friendly
One of the key advantages of ToF technology for people counting is that it’s completely anonymous. Because it doesn’t rely on cameras or other identifying data, there’s no risk of capturing personal information or invading someone’s privacy. Instead, the system simply counts the number of individuals passing through a given area, without storing any personal data or images.
In addition to being anonymous, ToF technology is also incredibly accurate. Unlike camera-based systems, which can be affected by lighting conditions or obstructions, ToF is able to detect even small movements with high precision. This means that people counting data gathered using ToF technology is more reliable and can be used to make more informed decisions about traffic flow and resource allocation.
Why camera-based people counting systems are not anonymous
While camera-based people counting systems may be more familiar to some users, they come with a significant risk to privacy. Because cameras capture images of individuals, there’s a risk of capturing personal data or violating privacy rights. Even if the system is designed to only count individuals, it’s difficult to guarantee that images won’t be stored or analyzed in some way. In contrast, ToF technology is entirely focused on measuring distance and movement, without capturing any personal data or images.
Overall, ToF technology offers a privacy-friendly solution for people counting in a wide range of settings. By using infrared light to measure distance and movement, ToF systems can provide accurate data without intruding on individuals’ privacy or gathering personal data. Compared to camera-based systems, ToF technology is both more accurate and more reliable, making it an ideal choice for businesses and organizations looking to optimize traffic flow and resource allocation.
Discover Terabee Time-of-Flight people counters
Terabee, who design and manufacture their people counting sensors in the EU, offer the People Counting L-XL LoRa device enabled by LoRaWAN. This eliminates the need to install Ethernet cables or connect to the main IT system. It is also available in a PoE model. This is a highly accurate solution to gather people counting data from large doorways, entrances and indoor gates.
Its smaller sibling, the People Counting M, available in PoE and LoRa models, is suitable for standard doors and narrow corridors, such as for meeting rooms and waiting areas.
Contact us to speak to an expert about your people counting challenges and requirements. Get in touch to find out more!
