AI or Sensors? Finding the Best People Counting Tech for Your Business

Understanding foot traffic is crucial for business growth. Accurate people counting enables businesses to optimize operations, enhance customer experiences, and improve safety. While sensor-based systems have replaced manual counting methods, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has further advanced people counting with video-based solutions, offering greater accuracy and deeper insights.

With a wide range of systems and providers available, choosing the right people counting solution can be challenging. 

Keep reading to discover the strengths and limitations of AI-based and sensor-based technologies to help you determine the best fit for your business needs.

What is AI-Based People Counting?

AI-powered people counting leverages computer vision and machine learning to analyze video footage from security cameras. The system detects, tracks, and counts individuals in real time, providing valuable analytics such as foot traffic trends, dwell time, and queue management insights.

How AI-Based People Counting Integrates with Existing Systems

One of the key advantages of AI-based people counting is its seamless integration with existing camera infrastructure. The diagram below simply illustrates how Isarsoft Perception is deployed:

What is Sensor-Based People Counting?

Sensor-based people counting relies on infrared, LiDAR, and thermal imaging to detect and count people as they pass through a designated area. These systems are widely used in entryways, corridors, and public spaces where privacy is a concern.

While both AI-based and sensor-based people counting technologies serve the same fundamental purpose, they differ in how they capture and process data. To determine which solution is best suited for a given environment, it’s important to compare their key characteristics.

Accuracy

Accuracy in people counting systems refers to how precisely they track individuals, and this can vary depending on the technology used. To make an informed decision, it’s important to understand how AI-based and sensor-based systems function.

AI-based systems leverage advanced image recognition to distinguish between people and objects, reducing errors caused by factors like shadows, reflections, or overlapping individuals. This makes them highly effective in dynamic environments such as retail stores, transportation hubs, and museums, where foot traffic is unpredictable and dense.

Sensor-based systems, on the other hand, typically rely on infrared or thermal detection to register movement. While these systems can provide reliable entry and exit data, they may struggle in crowded settings where individuals walk closely together or move unpredictably. This can sometimes lead to overcounts or undercounts, particularly in environments with high foot traffic.

Scalability

Scalability refers to how easily a technology can expand alongside a business and adapt to different environments. Having a long-lasting solution that improves over time is essential for businesses that anticipate growth, operate in multiple locations, or need to adjust to fluctuating visitor numbers.

AI-based people counting systems offer high scalability, as they integrate with existing security camera networks. Expanding coverage requires only software installation on additional cameras, making the process seamless and cost-effective without the need for extensive hardware changes.

Moreover, AI-based solutions continuously refine their accuracy through machine learning, meaning that their predictions and reports become more precise over time, helping businesses gain deeper insights as they collect more data.

Sensor-based systems, in contrast, rely on dedicated hardware at each entry and exit point. Scaling up requires installing additional sensors, which can be more complex and costly, especially for businesses with multiple locations or large spaces.

Maintenance

Ongoing maintenance is a key consideration when selecting a people counting system. While this largely depends on the provider and the level of customer support, the general maintenance requirements differ between AI-based and sensor-based solutions. A system with minimal upkeep reduces operational disruptions and ensures continued reliability, making it a crucial factor for long-term efficiency.

AI-based systems typically receive software updates remotely, reducing the need for physical adjustments or on-site servicing. This makes long-term upkeep more convenient and less disruptive to operations.

Sensor-based systems, however, may require periodic hardware replacements or recalibrations to maintain accuracy. This can lead to higher long-term maintenance costs and increased operational downtime compared to AI-based solutions.

Data & Insights

The level of insight provided by people counting technology varies depending on the system used. For businesses looking to optimize operations and enhance customer experiences, having access to detailed analytics is key to making informed, data-driven decisions.

AI-based systems offer more than just basic counting—they provide advanced analytics such as heatmaps, queue monitoring, and occupancy monitoring. These insights help businesses optimize layouts, improve staffing efficiency, and refine marketing strategies. The data is typically accessible through interactive dashboards, allowing for real-time decision-making.

To see AI-powered people counting in action and how it transforms raw data into valuable insights, watch the video below.

Sensor-based systems, while effective for tracking entry and exit numbers, are more limited in scope. They primarily provide raw footfall data without additional context, making them suitable for businesses that only require basic visitor count tracking rather than in-depth behavioral recognition.

These are the most important aspects to consider when choosing a people counting system that fits your needs. Factors like accuracy, scalability, maintenance, and data insights will determine which solution works best for your business. Whether opting for AI-based analytics or a simpler sensor-based approach, selecting the right system ensures better crowd management, improved efficiency, and data-driven decision-making.

More About Isarsoft

With Isarsoft Perception, your camera systems become part of your business intelligence. Whether the goal is to increase efficiency, customer satisfaction, or safety, Isarsoft Perception provides the insights needed for informed decisions.

Contact us, to learn more about how to turn security cameras into intelligent sensors.