Project: Autonomous Material based Object Tracker

Background_x000D_ _x000D_There are a number of different permanent install counting technologies that provide the ability to count objects and people, but each one has its drawbacks and limitations._x000D_Infra-red beam based systems provide accurate counting of individual, low density traffic, but cannot detect when two people enter together in close proximity, affect the aesthetics of the installation site and are vulnerable to stationary people and objects obscuring the transmitting, or receiving element._x000D_Camera based systems can provide accurate counting under controlled conditions, but are susceptible to lighting level changes and shadowing requiring costly prolonged calibration phases and a typically a negative customer experience. They are also susceptible to the privacy concerns of people passing through their field of view._x000D_Thermal imaging based systems avoid the lighting level susceptibility of visible wave length camera based systems, but they have a high cost penalty, an even lower field of view than the camera based systems, generate restrictions on maximum ceiling heights at the installation site & require a complex installation process matching the number of cameras, correct lens type and processing algorithm to the sensing space needing to be monitored._x000D_ _x000D_Next Generation – ground based tracking_x000D_ _x000D_nVision is developing its ground based people tracking and counting concept which is a concept that will use low cost pressure sensing technology able to be simply overlaid and secured to the sensing area, or placed under a clients branded carpet, or fully embedded within floors to detect and determine the trajectory of mass possessing objects as they travel across the sensing zone. The system will be immune to the environmental variations affecting current systems and will be targeted at existing legislation as well as upcoming legislation_x000D_ _x000D_This project proposes to bring together the capabilities & initial ground based counting concept product results of nVision with the novel material based pressure sensor, HW and FW technology of Emfit to create a mass production, market ready product._x000D_ _x000D_The project will target the counting of people within public spaces application and Ytope, a market leading Spanish company that has been providing access control and identification systems since 1999 will support the project in an advisory role. This advice will include market analysis, advice on end market application configuration and support with pilot trials._x000D_ _x000D_The project proposes a two stage development. Where the first stage is developed using the results of an existing proto-type from nVision that has already demonstrated the concepts counting accuracy to >80%. The first stage, the so called ‘Fast-To-Market’ product will be developed within the first year of the project allowing rapid entry to the existing as well as emerging markets driven by up and coming legislation which already has sections passed into law and which will be fully completed just after the first stage enters the market.(Please refer to marketing section for further details.)_x000D_ _x000D_The second stage, proposes an even more novel approach to the technical problem generated by the end customer requirements. This second stage is explained in more detail in the confidential technical section. Critically for overall market success of the whole project, this longer-to-develop second stage will be started before the first stage design is completed and will then continue its development during the period of market penetration being achieved by the fist stage. Results from the market penetration of the first stage will obviously increase future sale possibilities for the second stage, but they will also enable live end customer market feedback to be presented to the project steering board during development of the second stage._x000D__x000D_Project Consortium_x000D_nvision is a company dedicated to personalised installations, product development and COtenance for personal tracking, site surveillance and remote control systems. nvision offers to its clients customised global solutions that cover specific necessities to guarantee communication and an efficient control of their business, company, commercial shop or store, private residence and other areas of application. This technological offer includes advanced context awareness solutions including video capture, wired communication infrastructures as well as the latest technologies in wireless communications._x000D__x000D_Emfit is sensor company manufacturing proprietary ferro-electret sensors to many kind medical, industrial and commercial applications. It is highly experienced embedded electronics developer, including both hardware and embedded software as well as PC and server software solution for collecting and storing calculated data from even many thousands sensors over ethernet or wireless ethernet.Emfit has manufactured sensors for people counting solutions, where its sensors are used to count walking people on narrow paths, outdoors.

Acronym	AMOT (Reference Number: 5620)
Duration	01/10/2010 - 31/03/2013
Project Topic	AMOT has been conceived to facilitate the accurate counting of objects and people within current and emerging market doCOs whilst achieving immunity to today´s counting system problems. AMOT proposes a two stage project to rapidly win and then consolidate market share.
Project Results (after finalisation)	In the project we developed a new smart-sensor-mat and its signal acquisition electronics and firmware with tcp/ip output in order communicate with P software over LAN/WLAN. It was developed for the purpose of counting in a premise entrance persons going in or out and thus keeping track how many people are in at each time. Our CO result is that we met the goal as we developed and delivered to the P samples of the product and technically it was capable to meet the specifications set by project P.
Network	Eurostars
Call	Eurostars Cut-Off 4

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
2	Emfit Ltd	Partner	Finland
2	nvision Systems & Technologies S.L.	Coordinator	Spain