As technology continues to improve workplace productivity, insight analytics, and overall business operations, we wanted to take a moment to highlight one such product making gains in this area. Teledyne FLIR'S Brickstream 3D offers the ability to accurately measure people flow inside retail stores, buildings, and businesses. People counting metrics can be beneficial in a variety of different environments. In the retail space people counting has traditionally been done with infrared beam technology to count shoppers entering and exiting, but this method is routinely widely inaccurate, and does not process data in real-time.
The Teleydne FLIR Brickstream 3D system provides a comprehensive solution to capturing people flow metrics. The Brickstream 3D unit has two embedded cameras designed with advanced stereo vision technology for enhanced stereo processing, no matter the lighting conditions, while the wide field of view provides extremely large coverage from a single unit. Brickstream combines the benefits of 3D with advanced algorithms to provide the industry’s most accurate and flexible data capture solution.
The chart below outlines how Brickstream lines up to traditional methods of people flow monitoring.
How it Works
The stereo vision unit is installed on the ceiling with a surface mount to make installation easy and can be mounted anywhere from 2.2m to 12.6m high. Once installed, it can be managed with browser-based software and connected to all other systems in other business locations through the device manager. No on-site computer is needed.
The FLIR Brickstream also offers the ability to differentiate between the staff and customers through the use of employee Bluetooth tags. These tags are small, discrete devices that could easily be hidden from customers, and come in either a card format or round button-style format. When staff wear this, the Brickstream will automatically filter personnel out of customer analysis.
Another element of superior performance, it also measures height to differentiate between children, adults, and families for better sales conversion analysis. Metrics also monitor queues and service times in real time so that the business can optimize staff allocation. Additionally, filter zones, pass lines, exclusion lines, and shopper group identification enable the elimination of specific traffic and reduces false counts.
These Brickstream units can be used with a variety of different third-party software options to provide even further people flow analysis such as the length of time spent in each designated zone. March Networks Searchlight and SkillUp Chile are two such companies offering Brickstream software options.
Occupancy Management
Whether you have a space in need of general occupancy monitoring, or you’re in need of COVID-related occupancy monitoring, the Brickstream is the ideal solution for this. It provides a simple display dashboard for capacity updates that can be viewed by staff or customers on devices with a web browser. It may be used as a stand-alone or integrated into existing perimeter systems, making it ideal for most environments where occupancy must be closely managed.
“Many organizations are manually measuring occupancy, but this process is often inaccurate, cumbersome and expensive,” said Paul Clayton, General Manager, Components Business at FLIR Systems. “FLIR addressed this challenge by introducing a cost-effective, scalable, self-contained, and automated monitoring solution suitable for a variety of locations from grocery stores, stadiums, theaters, transportation hubs, to manufacturing plants, and office spaces.”
Applications
In addition to the retail space the Brickstream 3D is well suited for transportation hubs as it provides passenger flow analytics, resulting in reduced passenger line wait times, increased passenger satisfaction, and a seamless travel experience. Smart buildings utilize Brickstream to reduce utility costs and usage by understanding occupancy usage throughout the building. Additional benefits include improved worker productivity by providing optimum room layouts, available rooms, and the right amenities, as well as optimized labor, to match maintenance and cleaning crew scheduling with metrics for amenities and building areas usage.
