The world around us is rapidly changing. Today, our immediate environment is increasingly influenced and altered by the accelerating adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT).
As IoT solutions are highly versatile, a wide range of industries now use them to enhance efficiencies and optimize operations. For example, footfall trackers improve operations at retail stores, malls, hospitals and help boost sales and visitor experiences.
The ability to seamlessly share accurate information helps boost efficiency across all levels. This is true for both small businesses and large smart cities. What’s enabling large-scale global adoption of such IoT systems is LoRaWAN technology.
What is LoRa?
LoRa stands for “long-range.” It’s essentially a radio modulation technique used in wireless local area networks (LANs). The power behind LoRa is rooted in low power wide area (LPWA) network technologies. These long-range, low-power wireless devices form the de-facto platform for modern IoT solutions.
What is LoRaWAN?
LoRaWAN is a network (protocol) that leverages LoRa. In this case, WAN is short for wide area network. LoRa forms the physical layer or the wireless modulation to enable long-range communications. As such, LoRaWAN is the system architecture for the network and communication protocols.
As this technology demands minimal power, you deploy around 1,000 LoRa-based sensors and pair them with a single gateway. For example, LoRaWAN covers distances of up to 20 kilometers using a fraction of power demanded by other platforms. As a result, this approach takes the sharing of real-time data to a whole new level.
So, how is LoRaWAN changing footfall trackers?
1. Enhanced Flexibility
As LoRa is highly adaptable, you can use it in both (rural) outdoor and indoor settings. As LoRaWAN combines both low-power usage and long-range capabilities, your options are almost limitless.
You can leverage LoRaWAN-powered smart sensors and people counting technologies in a variety of settings, including:
Arenas
Malls
Offices
Parks
Public toilets
Retail stores
Sidewalks
As the batteries that power these IoT devices can last up to a decade, it’s a highly durable and cost-effective solution. You also won’t have to disrupt normal daily activities (for example, closing a mall) to replace the batteries that power these smart sensors for years.
You can also deploy these footfall trackers to manage pedestrian traffic better. For example, you can use Vemcount to better understand how people use sidewalks with access to quantitative insights into traffic flows, visitors, and more.
2. Improved Security
At every level, data security is critical. LoRaWAN helps boost security with end-to-end encryption. This approach helps mitigate risk and defend against a potential data breach and other malicious attacks. It also goes a long way to help businesses ensure regulatory compliance.
LoRaWAN and IoT also help boost security at a physical level. For example, when deployed in an arena, you can better manage crowds, ques, and portable toilets at major events like concerts.
By using footfall trackers with AI-powered analytics tools, you can better manage risk based on predictions. For example, you can deploy security personnel to specific areas where crowds can get out of control.
3. Highly Scalable
LoRaWAN is upwardly compatible with next-generation IoT technologies. This makes it highly suitable for people counting in highly demanding industries. In addition, it can help you scale your footfall tracking projects seamlessly over a long period.
4. Improve Safety Protocols
You can also use IoT-based people counting solutions with asset tracking tools to help protect both people and equipment in rural agricultural areas. For example, when used with asset trackers in machines, you can remotely monitor the geolocation of people, machinery, and farming equipment.
By leveraging WIFI sniffing and GPS systems, LoRaWAN enables both people counters and asset trackers to provide an extra layer of protection. Whenever workers and expensive equipment are at risk, you can set it up to automatically trigger an alert in remote locations.
You can apply the same principles to ensure that people follow social distancing protocols in times like the COVID-19 pandemic. When used with light detection and ranging (LiDAR) protocols, you can better manage mall visitors and alert employees whenever shoppers fail to follow social distances rules.
As technology continues to improve, so will people counting tools and related technologies. As IoT adoption accelerates across the planet, LoRa-based networks are increasingly the go-to solution.
As LoRAWAN-based sensors and trackers are flexible, secure, scalable, and safe, it now forms the foundation of IoT projects. As LoRa enhances bi-directional data transmissions, you can bet that it’ll increase the impact of smart things on our daily lives.
If you’re wondering if LoRaWAN powered people counting is right for you, we can help. So give us a call tel: +971 4 5146082 or schedule a commitment-free consultation.
