Overview
At R-Zero, we use advanced sensor technology to provide you with valuable insights about your workspace usage. While you won't see specific sensor types on your analytics dashboard, understanding how our sensors work can help you better interpret the data and make informed decisions about your space management.
This guide explains our sensor offerings in simple terms, focusing on what matters most to you: how they help you understand and optimize your workspace.
How We Organize Your Space Data
When you view your R-Zero analytics, you'll see data organized by space type rather than sensor type:
- Workpoint Analytics: Data from individual workstations like desks and personal workspaces
- Counter Analytics: Data from shared spaces like conference rooms, collaboration areas, and common spaces
Behind the scenes, different sensors collect this information, each designed for specific purposes.
Our Sensor Technology: Privacy-First Design
Before diving into specific sensors, it's important to understand that all R-Zero sensors are designed with privacy as the top priority:
- No personal information is collected - our sensors cannot identify individuals
- Anonymous data only - we track presence and movement, not people
- On-device processing - any visual data is processed directly on the sensor and never stored or transmitted
Sensor Types and Their Applications
1. Desk Occupancy Sensors (Workpoint Monitoring)
What they do: These small sensors detect when someone is present at a desk or workstation.
How they work: Using passive infrared (PIR) technology, they sense body heat and movement within a focused area (about 19-25 inches by 30-48 inches).
Best for:
- Individual desks in open offices
- Hot-desking environments
- Private offices
- Study carrels
- Library workstations
What you'll learn:
- Which desks are used most frequently
- Peak usage times for individual workspaces
- Patterns that help optimize desk allocation
Placement tip: These sensors work best when placed under the desk, typically 12-18 inches from the edge.
2. Room Occupancy Sensors (Small Space Monitoring)
What they do: Similar to desk sensors but designed for entire rooms, these detect presence in spaces up to 300 square feet.
How they work: Also using PIR technology, they have a wider detection range and can sense movement throughout a small room. Newer models also measure temperature and humidity for comfort insights.
Best for:
- Phone booths
- Small meeting rooms (2-4 people)
- Private offices
- Wellness rooms
- Focus rooms
What you'll learn:
- Room utilization rates
- Preferred meeting room sizes
- Environmental comfort levels
- Booking accuracy (booked vs. actually used)
Placement tip: Typically mounted on the ceiling for optimal coverage.
3. Area Counters (Large Space Monitoring)
What they do: These advanced sensors count the exact number of people in larger collaborative spaces.
How they work: Using thermal imaging technology with on-board AI, they create anonymous heat signatures to count occupants. The thermal camera only sees heat patterns, not visual details, ensuring complete privacy.
Best for:
- Conference rooms (6+ people)
- Training rooms
- Cafeterias and break areas
- Open collaboration zones
- Event spaces
What you'll learn:
- Actual attendance vs. room capacity
- Peak usage times for shared spaces
- Whether you need more (or fewer) large meeting rooms
- Space efficiency metrics
Placement tip: Mounted on the ceiling at 10-12 feet for optimal counting accuracy.
4. Entry/Exit Counters (Flow Monitoring)
What they do: These sensors track people entering and exiting spaces, providing precise occupancy counts.
How they work: Using advanced vision-based sensing with on-device AI processing, they count people passing through doorways while maintaining complete anonymity.
Best for:
- Main entrances
- Floor entry points
- Large conference room doorways
- Cafeteria entrances
- Any space where you need exact in/out counts
What you'll learn:
- Real-time occupancy levels
- Traffic flow patterns
- Peak entry/exit times
- Capacity management data
Placement tip: Installed above doorways or at ceiling height near entrances.
5. Indoor Air Quality Monitors (Environmental Monitoring)
What they do: These comprehensive sensors measure multiple aspects of your indoor environment.
How they work: Using various sensors, they continuously monitor air quality and comfort metrics.
What they measure:
- CO2 levels: Indicates ventilation effectiveness and occupancy density
- Temperature & humidity: For comfort optimization
- Particulate matter: Air cleanliness
- VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds): Chemical pollutants
- Light levels: Workspace brightness
- Noise levels: Acoustic comfort
Best for:
- Large open offices
- Conference rooms
- Wellness-focused spaces
- Any area where air quality is a concern
What you'll learn:
- Whether your HVAC system is performing adequately
- If meeting rooms need better ventilation
- Environmental factors affecting productivity
- Compliance with wellness standards (WELL, RESET)
Placement tip: Wall-mounted at 5.5 feet for accurate readings.
Smart Integration: Occupancy + Air Quality for Better Workplaces
One of the most powerful features of R-Zero sensor ecosystem is how occupancy and air quality data work together to create healthier, more energy-efficient workplaces. When your space "knows" both how many people are present and the current environmental conditions, it enables intelligent decision-making.
For example, when occupancy sensors detect that a conference room is at capacity, air quality monitors can trigger increased ventilation before CO2 levels become uncomfortable. Conversely, when spaces are empty, this integrated data can signal HVAC systems to reduce energy consumption. This dynamic relationship between occupancy and environmental monitoring helps you maintain optimal air quality when people need it most, while avoiding energy waste in unoccupied spaces.
The result? Employees enjoy consistently comfortable, healthy environments, and your organization benefits from reduced energy costs and a smaller carbon footprint.
Practical Use Cases by Space Type
Open Office Areas
- Desk sensors track individual workspace usage
- Area counters monitor collaboration zones
- Air quality monitors ensure comfortable working conditions
Meeting Rooms
- Area counters (large rooms) or Room sensors (small rooms) track actual usage
- Air quality monitors alert when ventilation is needed
- Entry/exit counters for high-traffic conference centers
Common Areas
- Area counters in cafeterias and lounges
- Entry/exit counters at main entrances
- Air quality monitors in high-density areas
Flexible Workspaces
- Desk sensors for hot-desking analytics
- Room sensors for phone booths and focus rooms
- Combined data helps balance space allocation
Making Sense of Your Analytics
When viewing your R-Zero dashboard, remember:
- Workpoint data comes from desk sensors tracking individual workspace usage
- Counter data comes from various sensors monitoring shared spaces
- Environmental data provides context about comfort and air quality
Conclusion
Each sensor type serves a specific purpose, working together to give you a complete picture of how your spaces are used. Whether you're analyzing workpoint data from individual desks or counter data from shared spaces, these sensors collect information anonymously and securely, transforming it into actionable insights on your dashboard.
The key to leveraging R-Zero's technology is understanding that while different sensors collect the data, what matters most is how you use these insights to create better, more efficient workspaces for everyone.
For additional support or specific questions about your R-Zero analytics, please contact our support team.