Comparing People Counting
Technologies in 2025:
Accuracy, Efficiency & Insights

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People counting technology has evolved significantly in 2025, leveraging AI, Time-of-Flight (ToF), PIR, infrared beams, RGB cameras, and radar to enhance accuracy and efficiency. From monitoring occupancy to optimizing space utilization, these solutions cater to various environments, ensuring smarter decision-making. Understanding the strengths of each technology helps businesses choose the right solution for precise, reliable, and privacy-conscious people counting.

AI-Based People Counting

AI-driven people counting technology uses deep learning algorithms to analyze video or image data, identifying and tracking individuals in real-time. By processing complex visual information, AI enhances accuracy in detecting multiple people, even in crowded environments.

The key advantage of AI is its ability to distinguish between objects and humans, reducing false counts caused by shadows or reflections. It also adapts to various lighting conditions and provides advanced analytics, such as movement patterns and heatmaps.

AI-based solutions are ideal for large indoor spaces like shopping malls and airports, where high accuracy and detailed insights are required. They also work well in dynamic environments where traditional sensors might struggle.

Time-of-Flight (ToF) Technology

ToF technology measures the time it takes for emitted infrared light to reflect off surfaces, determining depth and movement. This enables highly accurate distance measurement and 3D mapping of people within a space without capturing personal identifiers, ensuring privacy protection.

The advantage of ToF is its precision in detecting multiple individuals, even in low-light conditions. Unlike cameras, it does not rely on visible light, ensuring privacy-friendly operation while maintaining accurate tracking.

ToF is best suited for wide areas such as open office spaces and retail stores, where depth perception is crucial for people counting accuracy. It also works well in high-traffic zones requiring precise occupancy monitoring.

Passive Infrared (PIR) Sensors

PIR sensors detect changes in infrared radiation caused by human body heat, triggering motion-based detection. They are commonly used for basic occupancy sensing rather than detailed people counting.

The main benefits of PIR sensors are their low power consumption, cost-effectiveness, and simple installation. However, they do not provide exact headcounts and may be affected by environmental temperature changes.

PIR-based people counting is ideal for small, enclosed spaces like private offices and restrooms, where only presence detection is needed rather than precise counting or tracking. As a completely anonymous detection method, it ensures privacy in sensitive areas like restrooms.

Infrared Beam Sensors

Infrared beam sensors use a transmitter and receiver to create an invisible beam across an entryway. When a person crosses the beam, it registers a count. This method is commonly used for entrance-based counting.

The main advantage of infrared beams is their reliability in counting people passing through a defined area. They are unaffected by lighting conditions but may struggle with groups walking closely together.

These sensors are best deployed at doorways, hallways, and narrow passages where individuals enter or exit one at a time. They work well for basic entry-exit traffic monitoring.

RGB Camera-Based People Counting

RGB cameras capture visual data and use image processing algorithms to detect and count people. This method relies on standard color images and can differentiate between objects and individuals.

The primary advantage of RGB cameras is their ability to analyze facial features and postures, improving accuracy in dynamic settings. However, their performance can be affected by lighting conditions and occlusions.

RGB camera-based counting is suitable for indoor environments like retail stores and conference rooms, where visual identification and tracking are necessary. It is also effective for areas with moderate foot traffic.

Monocular vs. Binocular Technology

Monocular technology uses a single-lens camera to estimate depth and count people through AI-based object detection. It is lightweight and cost-effective but may have limitations in accuracy for complex scenes.
Binocular technology, utilizing dual-lens cameras, offers enhanced depth perception and better differentiation between foreground and background objects. This results in improved accuracy, even in crowded environments.

Monocular systems are ideal for small-to-medium spaces such as meeting rooms, while binocular systems perform better in larger, high-traffic areas like shopping malls and public transportation hubs.

Radar-Based People Detection

Radar technology uses radio waves to detect movement and determine the distance and speed of objects. It works in various lighting conditions and can track motion without visual identification.

Radar's advantages include privacy protection, detection of micro-movements, and reliable operation in darkness or through obstacles. However, it may be difficult to distinguish between multiple individuals in close proximity.

Radar-based counting is best for areas requiring privacy-sensitive monitoring, such as restrooms, hospital wards, and security-sensitive zones. It is also effective in low-visibility environments like underground parking areas. However, since radar waves can penetrate certain materials, it may not be suitable for spaces where precise area containment is required.

Comparing People Counting Technologies

Technology	Accuracy	Privacy Level	Ideal Applications
AI-Based People Counting	High – Can distinguish individuals in complex environments	Medium – Uses image data, but can be designed with privacy-friendly processing	Large indoor spaces like malls, airports, and offices, requiring detailed insights
Time-of-Flight (ToF) Technology	High – Provides depth perception and works in low light	High – Does not capture identifiable images	Open areas like retail stores and offices where precise occupancy tracking is needed
Passive Infrared (PIR) Sensors	Low – Only detects presence, not exact count	Very High – Completely anonymous detection	Small enclosed spaces like restrooms and private offices for basic occupancy sensing
Infrared Beam Sensors	Medium – Counts entry and exit but struggles with groups	High – No personal data collected	Doorways, hallways, and narrow passages for entry-exit monitoring
RGB Camera-Based People Counting	Medium-High – Can differentiate individuals but is affected by lighting and occlusions	Medium – Captures images but can use anonymization techniques	Indoor environments like retail stores and conference rooms, where visual identification is useful
Radar-Based People Detection	Medium – Works in low visibility but struggles with multiple close individuals	Very High – No visual data, privacy-friendly	Sensitive areas like restrooms, hospital wards, and low-visibility locations like underground parking

Click to Explore Milesight People Counting Technology>>>

Industries That Benefit from People Counting Technology

People counting technology enhances operations and decision-making across various industries. Real-time occupancy data helps businesses optimize resource allocation, improve safety, and enhance customer experiences.

Smart Buildings: Improves energy efficiency, space utilization, and security by adjusting lighting, HVAC, and access control based on real-time occupancy data. Milesight's Smart Green Building saves $45,000 annually through innovative technologies like people counting, showcasing its commitment to advanced smart offices and sustainability.
Retail: Tracks foot traffic, optimizes store layouts, and measures marketing effectiveness to enhance sales and customer experience. Milesight partners with TC Group to install people counting sensors in 700+ European stores, including brands like JOTT, HERNO, and HAWKERS.
Commercial Offices: Helps businesses optimize workspace planning, meeting room usage, and employee distribution. Milesight's people counters help optimize energy use in 62 buildings across Canada, saving over $250,000 in Q1 2022.
Transportation Hubs: Enhances crowd management at airports, train stations, and bus terminals, reducing congestion and improving safety. Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) implemented Milesight VS350 Passage People Counters to enhance its operational efficiency and passenger experience.
Hospitality & Entertainment: Manages capacity in hotels, casinos, museums, and event venues to optimize visitor experiences and ensure safety. Milesight energy efficiency IoT solution, featuring people counting, light control, and IAQ monitoring, helps the sustainable development of a historic theater in Italy.
Healthcare Facilities: Monitors patient flow, staff movement, and waiting areas to improve operational efficiency and resource allocation.

Beyond Simply Counting: What Valuable Business Metrics Can Be Derived from People Counting Data?

Foot Traffic Trends: Helps businesses analyze visitor patterns over time, identifying peak hours, seasonal fluctuations, and long-term trends for better staffing and marketing strategies.
Dwell Time Analysis: Measures how long individuals stay in different areas, providing insights into engagement levels, store layout effectiveness, and visitor interest in specific locations.
Conversion Rates: Compares the number of visitors to actual purchases or service usage, helping businesses assess marketing effectiveness and optimize sales strategies.
Occupancy Levels: Monitors real-time space utilization, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and enabling efficient management of crowded areas.
Workforce Optimization: Aligns staffing with actual foot traffic, improving customer service during busy periods and reducing unnecessary labor costs during low-traffic times.
Space Utilization Insights: Identifies underutilized areas, helping businesses make informed decisions about layout changes, space reallocation, and future expansion needs.

Choosing the Right People Counting Technology for Your Needs

Selecting the right people counting solution starts with understanding your specific goals. Do you need to track exact visitor numbers, monitor real-time occupancy, or detect events like falls? Different use cases require different levels of accuracy and detection capabilities.

Next, consider the installation environment. Is it an open space or a narrow corridor? Will the device be placed indoors, outdoors, or in a semi-outdoor setting? Factors like ceiling height, lighting conditions, and required coverage area will impact your choice.

Additionally, think about privacy requirements. Do you need completely anonymous detection, or is it important to gather detailed insights into movement patterns? The integration of advanced technologies such as 3D People Counters can provide precise tracking and mapping of individuals, enhancing the overall effectiveness of your system. Understanding these key factors ensures that you choose a solution that best fits your space and operational needs.

Other considerations include accuracy requirements, budget constraints, ease of installation, and compatibility with existing management systems.

Milesight People Sensing: Beyond Counting, Smarter Insights

Milesight's People Sensing solution goes beyond traditional people counting by leveraging advanced technologies to detect, analyze, and interpret human presence, behavior, and movement patterns. From occupancy monitoring to detailed attribution analysis, it delivers data-driven insights that optimize operations, enhance space utilization, and drive higher profitability. By providing precise, real-time data across various industries—such as smart buildings, retail analytics, and facility management—Milesight empowers businesses with smarter decision-making and improved efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does milesight people counting technology ensure privacy compliance?

Privacy is a critical concern, especially with the potential risk of collecting personal information from electronic devices and online platforms. To address this, Milesight utilizes advanced technologies like ToF, PIR, and thermopile in its people counting sensors, ensuring that no personal data is captured. Instead, the devices only detect presence and count individuals without identifying them.

Data is transmitted using the LoRaWAN® protocol, which securely sends minimal, non-identifiable data over long distances. This approach is fully compliant with GDPR requirements, providing an effective people counting solution that prioritizes privacy while delivering accurate insights.

How scalable is people counting technology for large buildings or multi-location businesses?

People Counting Technology is highly scalable for large facilities, multi-floor buildings, and multi-location enterprises. Milesight’s solutions support Multi-Device Stitching, allowing multiple sensors to work together seamlessly through simple configuration. This feature expands coverage by merging data from various counting points, ensuring accurate and unified people flow analytics across large or complex spaces. Additionally, cloud-based and edge computing capabilities enable centralized management, real-time monitoring, and data integration across multiple sites, providing businesses with a clearer, more comprehensive view of occupancy patterns.

How accurate are milesight’s people counting products?

Milesight's People Counting Technology offers industry-leading accuracy, with most products achieving precision rates ranging from 95% to 99.8%. This high level of accuracy ensures reliable performance across various scenarios, from smart buildings and retail environments to public spaces and transportation hubs.