3D sensor people counting
3D sensor people counting uses overhead optical 3D sensors and AI analytics to detect people crossing a line or occupying a zone. At entrances and bottlenecks, that gives you exact in/out counts and occupancy against safe limits. Video is used for analytics only, and no personal images are stored.
Optical 3D sensors (Xovis, Flir/Brickstream) with AI: exact counts, no images stored.
Trusted by
Main benefits
-
Exact in/out counts
Optical 3D sensors deliver precise directional counts with line-crossing accuracy at entrances and exits.
-
Bottlenecks & dwell
Detect crowding, dwell times and queues in real time, so you can keep spaces flowing and staff to demand.
-
Occupancy, privately
Real-time occupancy for safety and compliance. Video is processed for analytics only; no personal images are stored and no individuals are identified.
-
Trains the wider model
Sensor data doubles as validation: a constant flow of control data that calibrates and sharpens Wi-Fi and other methods over time.
How it works
-
Sense
Overhead optical 3D sensors detect people crossing a line or occupying a zone, processing video on the fly for analytics only.
-
Count, privately
The system produces counts and occupancy. No personal images are stored and no individual is identified.
-
Analyse
AI turns the stream into exact in/out, live occupancy, dwell and queue metrics at the point.
-
Deliver
Metrics flow into the same API and dashboards as every other method, so everything sits in one platform with one source of truth.
What data you get from cameras & 3D sensors
Cameras and 3D sensors are Bumbee Labs' precision method, strongest at a defined point. Typical metrics from a camera/3D installation:
- Exact in / out counts (directional line-crossing)
- Visitor count (total) at the point
- Real-time occupancy and capacity against safe limits
- Dwell and queue length at the entrance or bottleneck
- Peaks & lows at the measured point
For whole-space behaviour (paths, zone correlation, conversion across a site), combine with Wi-Fi. See the method-by-method grid.
How does 3D sensor people counting work at an entrance or checkpoint?
3D sensor people counting works with purpose-built optical 3D sensors (such as Xovis and Flir/Brickstream) and AI analytics. It is built for places where a number has to be exact, such as a main entrance, a security lane or a gate, and delivers precise in/out counts and occupancy monitoring there. Where you need micro-level accuracy at a specific door, it complements our Wi-Fi and cellular methods. For counting built into standard network cameras, see AI camera people counting.
A basic people counter box reports only a raw door total. 3D sensor analytics adds occupancy, dwell at specific points and queue metrics, and all of it feeds the same platform as your Wi-Fi, LiDAR and cellular data. The people counter vs analytics guide compares the two approaches.
If you already run Xovis sensors, you can keep them. We can process the data from your existing Xovis hardware into GDPR-compliant footfall analytics without new sensors.
Better together
Sensors and Wi-Fi cover two halves of the same problem: precision at a point and coverage across a space. Run them together in a hybrid setup and each improves the other. Sensors give Wi-Fi a reliable ground truth to calibrate against, and Wi-Fi gives sensors the context of the whole journey. → Compare the methods on the data deliverables page.
Can 3D sensors measure occupancy against a safe limit?
Yes, at a defined point such as a door or a gate. A safe occupancy limit, a staffed check-in lane and a queue intervention all need exact, directional counts. 3D sensors deliver those counts with no personal images stored. The exact door counts also give the in-store conversion rate a reliable denominator.
Where it fits best
- Retail & supermarkets: exact entrance counts to optimise cashier staffing.
- Airports: measure passenger queues at check-in and security for faster processing.
- Events & arenas: stay within occupancy limits while keeping people moving safely.
Curious what this looks like for your venue?
Camera & 3D vs other counting methods
Each method has a sweet spot. Sensors win on point precision; add Wi-Fi or cellular when you need coverage beyond the door.
| Capability | Wi-Fi | Camera & 3D | Cellular | LiDAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole-space coverage | Yes | Partial | Yes | Partial |
| Exact in/out at a door | Partial | Yes | No | Yes |
| Real-time occupancy | Partial | Yes | No | Yes |
| Paths & flows between zones | Yes | Partial | No | Partial |
| Dwell time | Yes | Partial | No | Partial |
| Catchment / origin | No | No | Yes | No |
| Uses your existing hardware | Yes | Partial | Yes | No |
| Built-in privacy protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
- Full
- Partial
- Not available
Approved and validated
3D sensors give you exact counts, and no personal images are stored. Bumbee Labs is the company behind the only footfall method in Europe approved by a data protection authority.
Telia's partnership with Bumbee Labs is important for us to expand our business. It allows us to develop our use cases for location and movement insights to be even more granular. By combining our anonymized and aggregated mobile network data with Bumbee Labs solution of GDPR-safe Wi-Fi probe data, we ensure that the collection of data follows the strictest guidelines of GDPR compliance all the way.
Frequently asked questions
How is 3D sensor people counting different from Wi-Fi counting?
Wi-Fi gives macro insight across large spaces, such as paths, dwell and conversion over a whole store or district. Cameras and 3D sensors give micro-level precision at one point, such as exact in/out counts and occupancy at a single door or gate. Many venues use both, with sensors at the main entrances and Wi-Fi across the floor.
Do 3D sensors store images of people?
No. Video from the sensors is used for analytics only, and you receive counts and occupancy figures. No personal images are stored, and nobody is identified.
Which 3D sensors do you use?
We use optical 3D sensors such as Xovis and Flir/Brickstream, combined with AI analytics, and choose the sensor to fit the venue and the precision it needs. If you already own Xovis sensors, we can process their data for you.
Can 3D sensor data improve our other measurements?
Yes. Sensors give a reliable ground truth at a point, which makes their data ideal for training and validation. It calibrates Wi-Fi and other methods and helps maintain accuracy over time, especially in permanent installations.