The sensor is designed to enforce social distancing in buildings. Source: RS ComponentsA DIY "People Counter," which could help prevent further spread of the coronavirus, can be assembled in under an hour. Components and plans are available from miniature PLC manufacturer Barth Elektronik GmbH and RS Components to build the sensor, which records the number of people entering and leaving an area, indicating when it is safe to allow more to enter, while still maintaining the recommended safe distance from each other.
Two photoelectric proximity sensors detect the direction in which people are moving as a mini-PLC calculates how many are moving in and out of an area in real time. A password-protected CAN touchscreen is used to set the maximum number of people allowed in the area and to serve as a traffic monitor, turning green when access is allowed and red when it is denied. An audio alert can also be added.
Learn more about proximity sensor basics and applications.
