Occupancy Count Tool Reaches into Ed Settings
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 01/08/21
BlueZoo, a provider of WiFi-based occupancy measurement solutions, is
attempting to reach into schools and colleges. The company's BlueFoxCount
uses sensors to continuously count probes from mobile phones to
measure how many people are visiting a space in real time. For every
15-minute period, the program reports on the number of visits begun
and ended and the minimum, maximum and average number of visitors
during that time slot.
When
the number of people in a space exceeds the preset threshold, the
application notifies on-site staff. It also predicts the wait time,
based on tracking of historical data.
A
single BlueFox sensor surveys areas up to 300,000 square feet,
sensing all mobile devices located within a distance of up to 300
feet from the sensor, and reports how many phones are detected within
the space. The range can be configured for smaller areas, and
"always-present " devices can be excluded from the count
with a "SmartDetect" feature. Sensors are small, measuring
two inches by two inches by one inch.
The product collects no personal information,
including phone numbers, according to the company.
About the Author
Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.