Gulf Construction Online - Control doubles up as people counting sensor

Lighting

Control doubles up as people counting sensor

01 June 2023

An innovative intelligent lighting control sensor that accurately counts the number of people in a room at a price point approaching that of a high-end PIR sensor has been unveiled by a trio of experts in the sector – Danlers, Calumino and Ingy.

The new Danler’s CAL-CEFL12V utilises Calumino’s next-generation thermal sensor technology coupled with embedded AI and computer vision to not only detect the presence of people, but also count them, providing real-time occupancy data that can be used for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) optimisation, space utilisation, security and more.

The product, which will enable the system to add value far beyond providing lighting alone, was launched at Lightfair 2023, an architectural and commercial lighting event held last month in New York, US.

“The new Danlers sensor allows the customer to immediately benefit from a wealth of data far beyond what is possible with conventional PIR sensors, while being 100 per cent privacy non-intrusive – GDPR compliant,” says Marek Steffanson, CEO, Calumino. “This data will aid in reducing a building’s carbon footprint, optimising space utilisation, reducing harm and damage, and supporting evacuation procedures.”

The CAL-CEFL12V features Calumino’s 100 per cent privacy-protective low-resolution thermal sensor with on-edge AI, making it suitable for applications that require highly accurate data without compromising privacy. The ceiling flush-mounted device senses heat signatures with up to a 70-sq-m detection zone, providing true human presence, count, and location, as well as hot object count, temperature, and thermal mapping.

“This innovation aligns with Ingy’s vision of using lighting to get the smart-building infrastructure into the building without increasing the lighting budget,” comments Bastiaan de Groot, CEO, Ingy. “The cost of retrofitting people counting sensors after the building is complete is often cost prohibitive, by integrating it in the lighting in this way, the hardware can be installed at a marginal increase in the lighting budget, we expect this marginal increase to further reduce in the near future.”

“We are thrilled to be a part of this ground-breaking collaboration between Danlers, Calumino and Ingy, which has resulted in the creation of the revolutionary CAL-CEFL12V people counting sensor. This innovation has the potential to enhance the lighting industry and enable us to work towards a better, safer, and greener office space,” said Kevin Johnstone, Chief Operations Office, Danlers.

The CAL-CEFL12V is ideal for mounting at a height of 2 to 4 m and includes a light sensor and wired DALI control lines. The sensor is easy to install and configure, like a standard PIR sensor, connecting to one or more DALI (emergency) fixtures, which can be individually addressed. It can be grouped with other sensors using the Ingy commissioning application and linked to an enOcean wall switch for manual lighting control. Thanks to the integrated Ingy wireless mesh network, it can serve a wide range of smart building functions including asset tracking, indoor navigation, energy optimisation and more.

The CAL-CEFL12V is described as being an affordable, reliable, and accurate people counting sensor that offers real-time occupancy data capture without compromising privacy.