Artificial intelligence calculates visitor numbers in several city buildings
The City of Tampere has introduced computer vision-based visitor counters at several of its service locations. The visitor counters have been installed above the doorways of each site. The device records movement through the doorway from above, and artificial intelligence analyses the video stream, filters out noise and calculates the number of people entering and exiting. The system does not identify individual people, as it is based on object detection. No image data is stored or transmitted.
There are several reasons for monitoring visitor numbers. The information is used, for example, to determine opening hours, plan work shifts, and schedule various events and guided tours. Libraries also report visitor numbers to the Ministry of Education and Culture.
"Visitor numbers are a very important indicator of service usage for us, so reliable information on visitor numbers at different locations is essential for planning our activities. This information helps us identify the busiest times at different libraries, for example, and ensure that libraries have enough staff to meet customer needs," says Niina Salmenkangas, Director of Library Services.
A Finnish innovation
The visitor counter uses an AI model based on object detection, developed on LUMI, Europe’s fastest supercomputer located in Kajaani, in collaboration with several universities. The computer‑vision model has been further trained to function specifically in the City of Tampere’s premises. In Tampere, the AI has achieved an accuracy rate of 96 to 100 per cent. The visitor counter is supplied by Supersight.
