Wanzl Visitor Counting System

2021: Creation of a system for counting visitors

On January 18, 2021, Samsung announced that the manufacturer of shopping carts Wanzl from the German city of Laupheim began supplying visitors to stores, which is designed to reduce the number of people in the trading room at the same time. The system consists of a 3D counter with stereoscopic cameras that recognize the flow of customers, and digital signage from Samsung. Displays hang at the entrance and show customers whether they can enter the store or need to wait until the hall is full. The system is suitable not only for supermarkets, but also museums, as well as other public buildings.

To stop the spread of COVID-19, a rule was introduced according to which people must observe a distance of 1.5 meters, but it is impossible to follow it in crowded rooms. Therefore, only a certain number of buyers are allowed to stay in supermarkets. At first, they tried to reduce the number of trolleys in stores, but this decision was ineffective. Therefore, at Wanzl GmbH & Co. KGaA have developed their own 3D visitor counter. From the idea of ​ ​ the company to the installation of the first system, only a week passed.

The system consists of a stereoscopic camera, which is attached to the ceiling at the entrance and can record customer traffic with a reliability of up to 99%. There is also a small processor and display in the input area. The display uses the traffic light system to inform customers whether they are allowed to enter or not: if you can enter, a green sign appears on the display with an invitation to enter, if not, red with a request to wait. If the input and output are separate, then two separate cameras are used, and if there are several inputs, the display is hung at each of them.

Wanzl is a partner of retail retailers from around the world. In the company's product portfolio, entrance systems, room separators and racks, customer and luggage trolleys and much more, but displays have not yet been used anywhere. Therefore, for the customer flow control project, Wanzl, together with its IT partner Systemzwo Group, was looking for a screen provider that could be used 24/7 and require minimal maintenance. In addition, the company was important the possibility of delivery at any time. As a result, partners chose Samsung.

Displays of the QMR and QHR series for January 2021 are used in more than 500 installations. 43-inch models can be placed in any part of the entrance area. Due to the brightness of up to 700 nits, the inscription on the display is easy to read even in direct sunlight. A stereoscopic camera attached to the ceiling is located behind the display, it recognizes the person himself, and also determines the direction in which he moves. Based on the number of people logged in and out, the processing unit transmits the data to the display via HDMI. As long as the number of people is below the specified threshold, the image on it will be green.

As of January 2021, the Wanzl system operates in Germany and the UK, but the company plans to expand the geography of the project. Once there is no need to limit the number of customers, Samsung displays can display other important information, such as weather, promotions and special offers, as well as news.