Planon, a market-leading Smart Sustainable Building Management software company, has added the Terabee people counting solution to its Marketplace, a global network of technology partners.
In the Planon Marketplace, each partner offers their own unique mix of expertise, skills, solutions and services to ensure maximum business value for Planon’s customers.
Energy efficiency gains
The application of thermal occupancy sensors in compact spaces can significantly contribute to energy conservation. By accurately detecting human presence within a room, the data from these sensors can facilitate the automation of lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Real-time data regarding occupancy status enables intelligent systems to adjust settings dynamically, ensuring energy consumption aligns precisely with occupants’ needs.
People counting data for retail outlets, smart buildings or offices
Giving data privacy by design, Terabee People Counting L-XL can be found here on the Planon Marketplace.
Running with advanced Time-of-Flight technology, Terabee People Counting L-XL is GDPR compliant and provides class-leading accurate people counting data by monitoring the number of people entering and exiting doorways or corridors.
Easy to configure and install on high ceilings, People Counting L-XL fits any kind of wide indoor entrance, up to 15 meters in a multi-device setup. The Terabee people counting algorithm is capable of filtering out static objects and counting multiple people passing in both directions below the device as they enter or leave a space.
About Planon
Planon is the leading global provider of Smart Sustainable Building Management software that connects buildings, people and processes, providing all building stakeholders with actionable and meaningful insights. Independent market research and consulting firms have consistently rated Planon as a global leader in the market. Planon has implemented its comprehensive solutions for more than 2,800 clients, supported by offices and partners around the world.
Low-light operation
These sensors can operate in low-light conditions or in complete darkness, making them a versatile option for a wide range of settings and deployment opportunities.
Real-world applications
The adoption of thermal occupancy sensors is gaining traction across various sectors, including commercial buildings, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and residential spaces.
By accurately monitoring foot traffic and occupancy levels, universities can identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption, optimize facility maintenance schedules, and allocate resources more efficiently, ultimately leading to cost savings in the long run.
As Terabee people counters provide real-time data on the number of people within a designated space within a higher education or university environment, heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) and lighting systems can make use of this data, linked via the building management system (BMS) to enable energy savings and reduced energy costs. See the article on how Feedback Solutions has enabled energy savings of 40% or more of HVAC-related energy consumption in a U.S. university campus, coming from reduced fan speeds and optimization of the volume of outside air being heated or cooled.
For instance, in office spaces, these sensors are ideal to measure meeting room occupancy and to know if a room is occupied or not. In educational settings, these sensors are integrated into classroom environments to regulate lighting and climate control systems based on occupancy, leading to reduced energy wastage during unoccupied periods.
Similarly, in auditoriums and reception halls, the data from these sensors can be used for informed decision-making and so contribute to reducing HVAC-related energy use while respecting occupants’ privacy.
Integration with existing systems
Terabee people counters are designed to seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructure and systems, making implementation straightforward for educational facilities. Whether it be integrating with access control systems, building management systems, or data analytics platforms, these counters offer compatibility and flexibility, allowing universities to leverage existing investments while enhancing their operational capabilities.
The People Flow Counting L-XL LoRa and People Flow Counting M 2.0 LoRa devices use LoRaWAN, which eliminates the need to install PoE cables or connect to the main IT system. This makes them ideal sensors for historic buildings which can be common in universities. The LoRa-enabled solution avoids the need to retrofit Ethernet cabling, which can be both expensive and time-consuming.
People Occupancy Counting sensor from Terabee
Terabee’s People Occupancy Counting sensor stands out for its cutting-edge features.
Utilizing advanced thermal imaging, this sensor offers real-time, high-precision occupancy monitoring. With its compact design and easy installation, it seamlessly integrates into various environments, from offices and meeting spaces to reception halls, enhancing space management capabilities. The device can focus on multiple regions of interest, up to eight, to monitor or exclude specific areas.
The sensor’s ability to count occupants accurately without capturing personal identifiable information (PII) ensures privacy compliance, aligning with GDPR regulations and respecting individuals’ rights to privacy within monitored spaces. Moreover it ensures precise occupancy tracking in all light conditions. This is ideal for fine-tuning energy management, optimizing space utilization and automating building operations.
Q&A
Can Terabee people occupancy counting technology be integrated with existing building management systems, and what are the steps involved in this process?
Terabee’s people occupancy counting technology can be integrated with existing BMS. The process typically involves connecting the Terabee sensors to the BMS via standard protocols like Modbus or BACnet. Detailed integration instructions are provided by Terabee, ensuring a seamless integration process.
Are there any limitations or challenges associated with implementing Terabee people counting devices in different types of environments, such as varying lighting conditions or architectural layouts?
While Terabee’s people counting devices primarily use Time-of-Flight and thermal infrared technology, which are less affected by lighting conditions, there can still be challenges in certain environments such as very bright sunlight. Additionally, architectural layouts with obstacles or reflective surfaces may impact the accuracy of the sensors. Terabee provides guidance on sensor placement and environmental considerations to mitigate these challenges.
How does Terabee ensure the privacy and security of the data collected through their people occupancy counting technology, especially in light of increasing concerns about data protection and privacy regulations?
Terabee ensures privacy and security by designing their sensors to collect only non-personally identifiable information (PII) through thermal infrared technology and Time-of-Flight technology. This means that the sensors do not capture images or any identifiable features of individuals, thus eliminating privacy concerns associated with traditional camera-based systems.
How easily can Terabee’s people occupancy counting system scale to accommodate buildings of different sizes and layouts? Are there any limitations in terms of the number of sensors that can be deployed or the coverage area they can effectively monitor?
Scalability and flexibility of Terabee People Occupancy Counting: the people occupancy counting sensor is designed to be highly scalable and flexible to accommodate buildings of various sizes and layouts. The system can easily scale by adding additional sensors as needed, and there are typically no limitations on the number of sensors that can be deployed within a building. Additionally, Terabee offers people flow counting sensors with varying coverage ranges to suit different space requirements, ensuring effective monitoring across diverse environments.
What kind of maintenance and support services does Terabee offer for their people occupancy counting devices? Are there any ongoing calibration requirements or software updates needed to ensure accurate and reliable performance over time?
Terabee provides comprehensive maintenance and support services to ensure the long-term performance of their people occupancy counting devices. This includes firmware updates to ensure compatibility with the latest technologies and security standards. Additionally, Terabee offers technical support and troubleshooting assistance to address any issues that may arise, ensuring uninterrupted operation and maximum uptime for their customers.
