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Virtual Sensor: Presence and Occupancy
Virtual Sensor: Presence and Occupancy

Learn how the presence and occupancy graphs work

Updated this week

To learn more about Space Usage insights, read this article

Intro

The presence and occupancy virtual sensors enable you to understand how spaces in your building are used. These sensors have been made to understand long-term trends, not instant values. You can find this sensor at the bottom of the device page with other virtual sensors.

The data is only shown when the opening hours for the building are enabled.

Sensors in the dashboard

Presence

Presence is automatically enabled on any device with a CO₂ sensor. To view presence data, navigate to the Space and select the Presence graph, found at the end of the row with other virtual sensors. This graph displays the duration a room has been occupied, updating every five minutes to indicate whether the room was in use. The data is then aggregated into a total count of minutes the room was occupied.

Occupancy

When the Space height and area are entered, Occupancy is automatically enabled for any device with a CO₂ sensor, estimating the number of occupants in the room. Note that accuracy may be lower in buildings with natural ventilation due to irregular ventilation rates.

The occupancy graphs update every 5 minutes when the room is actively used and every hour during quiet periods. Historical data is adjusted a few hours back, reflecting updates based on recent data trends.

Sensor algorithm

The underlying algorithm uses all sensors and some metadata to calculate presence and occupancy. It analyses the room over long periods of time to improve the virtual sensor’s performance. The algorithm also needs a minimum of 8 hours of data without gaps to show the virtual sensors.

The accuracy of the data depends on multiple variables, including:

  • Device placement

  • Room shape

  • Size vs number of people in the room

  • Ventilation system and temperature gradients (mixing of air)

As a result, the algorithm will work best for rooms where the air is mixed evenly for the device to register readings appropriately. Rooms with uneven mixing, such as meeting rooms with open doors or corridors will have less accurate results.

The data will only show if someone was present in the space and is not sufficient for identifying individuals. These sensors will not give real-time presence data such as signaling if seats are in use or not. The sensor is also unable to say if a room is at full capacity.

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