ULIS, a manufacturer of innovative thermal sensors, and Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management and automation, are showcasing, for the first time in Europe, the new MIRTIC Advanced Occupancy Sensor (AOS). Designed for the counting of people, the AOS enables services companies and users to gain a greater understanding of occupancy levels and usage to optimize operational costs and occupant services in new or existing buildings.
Advanced sensors are seen as critical in enabling facilities to meet tightening government regulations on energy efficiency and to drastically cut building management costs. The smart buildings market for advanced sensors is projected to reach almost $3.7 billion by 2020 (Navigant Research, March 2014).
AOS integrates the latest generation of advanced, low power consumption, 80x80 pixels Thermal Activity Sensors (TAS) from ULIS. It runs entirely on battery power and transmits occupancy rates at regular intervals (approx. every two minutes), without compromising the privacy of the occupants. The current prototype can cover a zone of 30m2 (323 ft2), equivalent to a meeting room accommodating 8 – 10 people.
“As a leader in building energy management, Schneider Electric is striving to simplify complexity in buildings and to guarantee operational efficiency and comfort at optimized costs,” said Gilles Chabanis, smart sensors manager at Schneider Electric. “The Advanced Occupancy Sensor we have developed with ULIS’ technology is easy to deploy. It operates in existing buildings, offering reduced installation and operating costs without infringing upon the occupant experience.”
The module on display at IBS marks the completion of the MIRTIC project, a five-year, €24M European initiative led by ULIS. The aim of the project was to produce a new type of thermal sensor module that will bring new capabilities to building usage diagnostics. The project began in 2011 with partner CEA-Leti, a leading microelectronic and nanotechnology research center, Integrated Systems Development, a global systems integrator, and augmented reality technology developer Metaio (acquired by Apple).
“ULIS is pleased to have partnered with leading players in their fields to bring the Advanced Occupancy Sensor module for smart building applications to a successful conclusion,” said Cyrille Trouilleau, product manager at ULIS. “Schneider Electric provided ULIS with valuable knowledge about the building market expectations. We addressed these through a range of TAS features in an 80x80 pixel format.”
Schneider Electric will field-test the AOS at the end of 2016 prior to entering product development.
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