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sensor fusion, you can zoom down hallways, look around corners, flip an image upside down or view the environment from different angles. With a unified security dashboard, LiDAR can also be used to improve intrusion detection. When an unauthorized entry into a controlled zone occurs, geolocation information from the LiDAR sensor can be used to identify the associated video feed and automatically signal mission control to manage the situation. Within the unified dashboard, security teams can get a full view from detection to resolution. Because LiDAR sensors are unaffected by light levels or weather conditions, they can more accurately count people entering in and out of certain areas and determine the direction of traffic flow. LiDAR provides accurate, centimeter-level information not only about the number of objects detected, but also exactly where they are, what direction they are moving and at what speed. Since LiDAR does not capture video or biometric data, it provides detail without affecting any individual's privacy. How LiDAR can be used for occupancy management Many companies are taking advantage of LiDAR's highly accurate ability to count people to better understand the flow of employees and visitors and analyze how spaces within office buildings, retail complexes, stadiums, theme parks and other busy places are being used. The technology is used to help improve the flow of people by tracking occupancy, crowd size and how long people stay within specific places. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, it has also been used to monitor crowd density. Now that "physical distancing" has become part of our everyday lexicon, crowd management has become more important. In airports, LiDAR is used to detect the distance between people and send a notification if certain areas become too congested. LiDAR data can also be used to improve guest experience. In retail stores, for example, LiDAR can be used to keep track of queue length. If too many people are waiting at the cash register, the system can alert the right people to open another till or redirect customers to a shorter line. In one case, a quick-serve restaurant used LiDAR to get a better understanding of the customer journey. The company measured how long the average customer takes to enter, look at the menu, place an order, pay, pick up their food and exit. The goal was to use those insights to find new ways to speed up service, which would allow the restaurant to serve more customers and therefore boost profits. A cost-effective solution While the technology has been around for decades, until recently, its high cost limited innovation. The first LiDAR sensors on the market cost around $75,000 and were larger than the smartphones that now use LiDAR sensors inside them. Today, several manufacturers are aiming to get the price of some kinds of LiDAR sensors down below $100, which would make the technology accessible for even more applications. But it isn't just the hardware cost to consider. The total cost of ownership for a unified security system that uses LiDAR can be significantly cheaper than a conventional setup, especially when protecting a larger zone of control. A unified physical security system brings all sources of data — from sensors, cameras, access control and more — into a single interface. With LiDAR sensors constantly scanning the area, an AI-powered unified system can direct cameras to track the movement of a particular object or suspected intruder. Drastically fewer video cameras are required since they don't need to film everything at once and can be pointed in the right direction when needed using LiDAR's location data. Less hardware and smarter systems reduce maintenance and labor costs, reducing the total cost of ownership for

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