Hong Kong-based Smart Sensing is using AIoT technology for crowd counting at flower markets and exhibitions.

The crowd-counting technology can be applied to numerous indoor and outdoor scenarios, including Lunar New Year flower markets and indoor exhibitions, helping with effective crowd management.

Through years of algorithmic optimisation, Smart Sensing’s technology can process large numbers of people with a single camera. Even outdoors, one camera can handle hundreds of people with high accuracy. This means fewer cameras and devices are needed to achieve effective crowd counting, resulting in significant cost savings.

In many indoor and outdoor environments, installing cameras can be challenging or prohibitively expensive. In response, Smart Sensing has developed a range of mobile devices that integrate cameras and computing systems, which can be easily deployed in various locations. Along with adjustable camera mounting heights and optimised algorithms, these devices can handle different situations both indoors and outdoors.

In addition to deploying its own cameras and edge computing devices, Smart Sensing’s technology is compatible with various video sources. If an existing site already has cameras in place, the system can integrate with the available video or data streams for analysis. This flexibility can save on the costs of deploying some or even all the cameras.

Standard crowd counting primarily monitors the number of people and density, enabling on-site personnel to understand current conditions and manage crowd flows. Beyond this, Smart Sensing’s technology also tracks movement patterns and can even forecast changes in crowd dynamics. For example, the system can detect quickly if a surge in a specific area is looming, allowing for timely intervention to ensure crowd safety and enhance the overall experience.

The crowd counting system has already been applied across multiple scenarios, delivering an accuracy rate exceeding 85%. Compared with traditional devices and manual counts, its performance is not only more accurate but also more cost-effective. Moreover, the company continually refines its technology to integrate with aerial imaging, 5G and other methods, meeting the evolving requirements of various crowd management environments.

Established in 2019 and nurtured by the Hong Kong Science Park, Smart Sensing (smartsensing.biz) has innovated on how cities and businesses collect and analyse data, offering a range of smart city and business services.