FAQ

Cameras are passive sensors that excel at capturing color data from ambient light, making them ideal for tasks like person identification with FaceID and license plate reading.

However, they fall short in providing depth or Spatial data.

In contrast, Radar and LiDAR boast three critical features absent in cameras:

They're active sensors, functioning effectively in all lighting conditions, including total darkness and direct sunlight.

They detect depth (ie Spatial data), including the position and size of objects.

They inherently ensure privacy as no personal information is ever captured.

LiDAR trumps Radar in terms of accuracy and resolution, offering an edge that's orders of magnitude greater by using laser light instead of radio waves.

To learn more, consider reading this article or download our Comparative guide of People Counting technologies.

Where is Outsight located ?

Our two main locations are in Paris (HQ) and San Francisco, but we also have an additional engineering center in Sophia-Antipolis (France) and commercial offices in the UK, Belgium, Spain and Hong-Kong.

From Japan to South America, Australia and Africa, our customers are in many countries and all continents except Antartica (for now).

You can learn more about the company on this page.

Do you work with Integration partners ?

Yes.

Our technology can be applied to many different use cases and industries, we're glad to collaborate with subject specialists.

You can integrate our solution at different levels: either leveraging the output of our Shift Perception software or using our Shift Analytics’ one through our API.

You can connect with us here.

Is it possible to integrate data from sensors of different LiDAR manufacturers ?

It’s not only possible but it becomes necessary in many cases to achieve the best results and optimise budget.

There are dozens of different LiDAR manufacturers and there is no perfect solution that fits all needs.

That’s why we’re strong believers that Software should be compatible with most Hardware solutions and we built the first multi-vendor LiDAR Simulator.

Where can I learn more about the technology and its applications ?

Take a look at our Insights section to discover a wealth of articles about our cutting-edge solutions, which include an overview of our processing algorithms and a detailed description of our open data format.

Additionally, we highly recommend reading our whitepaper that delves into the utilization of LiDAR technology in real-time applications.

For those looking to create their own unique Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) application, we created a one-of-a-kind ITS Cookbook that will guide you through the process.

What are the applications of LiDAR technology ?

LiDAR can enhance the intelligence and safety of anything that moves, observes other moving objects, or requires volume measurements.

That makes a lot of applications! In fact, we have compiled in an article a list of the Top applications of LiDAR.

Contrary to popular belief, in 2027 the LiDAR market is expected to exceed 63% share in areas outside automotive. The most rapidly expanding use cases for LiDAR are centered around monitoring people and vehicles in diverse infrastructure markets.

What is the extent of your expertise in processing 3D data ?

For over 18 years, our team has been developing LiDAR processing software and original algorithms long before the technology gained widespread recognition and well before the self-driving car hype emerged.

We hold the distinction of being the pioneers in processing data from various renowned LiDAR manufacturers, with some collaborations initiated at the prototype stage and even earlier, during the idea phase.

This vast experience has resulted in the filing of 73 patents, with more than one-third of them already granted.

Our expertise and know-how have also been acknowledged many times with prestigious awards.

How should one plan on the selection and placement of LiDAR systems ?

Except for simple demos or very small installations it’s not possible to seriously assess the best location and choice of LiDAR hardware without using professional 3D tools.

For that reason we created the first multi-Vendor LiDAR Simulator, thanks to the precious feedback and continuous use of more than 300 customers from different industries.

Does your company provide the hardware for data processing ?

Our Software can run in our customers or partners processing hardware as long as it meets the minimal specs.

However, for convenience, we can also deliver our software pre-installed in ready-to-use processing hardware.

Don’t hesitate to contact a Product Specialist to get guidance for your project.

Are you hiring ?

Absolutely !

We are actively hiring for positions in both Business and Engineering across various locations.

To explore all our current job openings, please visit our Careers page.

About the Shift Perception Software

Does your software operate on the Edge or is it Cloud-based ?

Both of them!

Given the vast volume of 3D data from LiDAR devices and the real-time processing demands, Edge processing is essential to trigger immediate alarms for certain events.

However, for non-time-sensitive tasks, such as analytics based on aggregated statistical data over extended periods and user-facing Dashboards, you can either utilize cloud-based processing or an on-premises solution.

What do you mean by real-time processing ?

Real-time processing, in this context, refers to the instantaneous computation of data.

A LiDAR device typically produces RAW 3D data frames—akin to individual images in a video stream—at a rate of about 20 times per second.

When we mention real-time processing, we mean that our Shift Perception software completes all calculations, such as object tracking, for a given frame before the next one arrives from the sensor, ensuring a seamless processing cycle.

Do you provide the hardware for data processing?

Our Software can run in our customers or partners' processing hardware as long as it meets the minimal specs.

However, for convenience, we can also deliver our software pre-installed in ready-to-use processing hardware.

Don’t hesitate to contact a Product Specialist to get guidance for your project.

What you mean by 'Open' and 'Standard' data format ?

An open and standard data format addresses the current challenge where, among the myriad of LiDAR manufacturers, there isn't a universally accepted data format.

Initially, proprietary LiDAR data formats and protocols made sense, as they facilitated quicker market entry for new hardware prototypes that delivered raw data.

An 'open' data format is one with specifications free from any restrictions, be it monetary or otherwise, allowing any conforming software to both read and write in that format.

'Standard', in this context, implies that the output maintains a consistent data format, irrespective of the diverse proprietary protocols from the input sensors.

For a deeper understanding, refer to our article detailing the 7 Essential Attributes of an Open and Standard LiDAR Data Format.

Can Shift Perception integrate data from sensors of different manufacturers ?

Absolutely!

In fact, integrating data from various LiDARs is often essential to optimize both performance and budget.

Given the multitude of LiDAR manufacturers, no single solution fits all scenarios perfectly.

A core feature of the Shift Perception software is its ability to perform sensor fusion, seamlessly merging raw data from multiple LiDAR models and manufacturers in real-time.

We firmly believe in ensuring users benefit from the freedom of hardware choice. To that end, we've prioritized software-hardware compatibility across different vendors and pioneered the development of the first multi-vendor LiDAR simulator.

Can I use a Wireless connection?

Yes you can!

One of Shift Perception's defining features, which led to recognitions like the Edge AI Product of the Year, is its ability to process extensive amounts of 3D data in real-time using a streamlined processor in tandem with the sensor(s).

This efficiency results in a data reduction of more than 96%, significantly facilitating wireless communication, even in bandwidth-limited networks.

What degree of performance can one anticipate from your systems ?

Performance varies based on the specific use case and the challenges presented.

For instance, in high-density people flow monitoring applications, external audits commissioned by our most discerning customers have demonstrated accuracy levels reaching up to 99% for intricate tasks.

In Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and highway monitoring contexts, our solutions have consistently achieved speed and position accuracy with an error rate of less than 2%.

It's important to emphasize that performance is closely related to the selection of the appropriate LiDAR model and manufacturer. Certain models and brands may be better suited for specific tasks than others.

Do I need to store the output data in a database?

Our Shift Perception software delivers data in real-time, enabling it to be consumed by subsequent software processes, like our Shift Analytics, or to prompt immediate actions such as triggering an alarm when specific events occur (e.g., an individual entering a designated zone of interest).

While the software's primary function is real-time delivery, its data can also be used for in-depth statistical analysis.

For such extended uses, integrating with your database is advisable to systematically store and manage the information.

If you're seeking a comprehensive solution for storing and analyzing the output data from the Shift Perception software, our Shift Analytics software is an ideal choice.

About the Shift Analytics Software

Does Shift Analytics operate on the Edge or is it Cloud-based?

Both of them!

Given the vast volume of 3D data from LiDAR devices and the real-time processing demands, Edge processing is essential to trigger immediate alarms for certain events.

Are these analytics calculated in real-time?

All analytics are computed in real-time.

However, it's important to note that the granularity of the data output may vary. For instance, there's no practical benefit in reporting a person's position 20 times per second, as no one moves that quickly!

The frequency of the data output can be tailored to the key performance indicators (KPIs) that are relevant to your specific project and use case.

Do I need to store the output data in a database?

Our Shift Analytics software delivers data that can be used to prompt immediate actions such as triggering an alarm when specific events occur (e.g., an individual entering a designated zone of interest) or to be analyzed over long periods of time.

You will need a database to store this object tracking, KPI and events data over time.

You can either use your own solution or a ready-to-use one as proposed by Outsight.

Why using LiDAR to generate spatial analytics ?

Spatial Analytics require gathering Spatial Data (Position, Size/Volume, movement, speed...), which is inherently 3D data.

LiDAR is currently the best solution for acquiring 3D data accurately and privately at distance.

You can read more about the advantages of LiDAR in this article.

Can I use your KPI data with my own Dashboard?

Yes, using the Analytics API any data that can be displayed in our Dashboard is accessible for you in your own.

This is especially useful when combining the data from LiDAR with other external data sources.

What degree of performance can one anticipate from your KPI calculations?

Performance varies based on the specific use case and the challenges presented.

In Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and highway monitoring contexts, our solutions have consistently achieved speed and position accuracy with an error rate of less than 2%.

How scalable is your system ?

The same software is adept at managing projects ranging from a single sensor to hundreds of them within the same local network.

This encompasses the capability to track thousands of individuals simultaneously over vast distances.

We've meticulously designed our system with all the essential components to ensure seamless scaling. This includes robust planning, streamlined setup, seamless provisioning, modular architecture, load balancing, redundancy measures, supervision and efficient resource allocation.

Do I need consultancy services to build my analytics?

You don't need consultancy services to construct your analytics.

We offer a wide range of ready-to-use KPIs and analytics tools. Plus, our intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes it simple for you to customize and build your own.

While our platform is comprehensive, should you wish to introduce unique metrics, rest assured that all our data is accessible via API. This provides you with virtually limitless possibilities for data analysis tailored to your specific needs.

About the Shift Simulator Software

Do I need to install a Software in my computer?

No, everything works online, you only need a browser and an Outsight Cloud account.

Contact your Sales representative to request access.

Can I simulate any LiDAR Sensor that exists?

There are many hardware manufacturers, on this page we've listed the most prominent ones from around the planet.

In the Simulator you can use dozens of different models, all those that we consider relevant and ready-to-use.

Given the ever-evolving nature of the LiDAR market, some prototypes promoted by manufacturers might take time to reach a satisfactory level of quality and availability, or they are exclusively built for automotive uses: we introduce them as soon as they are ready for actual use in production for any application or have a clear roadmap to get to maturity, so you can anticipate their performance.

As a user of the tool, you can request the addition of a specific model or brand at any time.

Can I plan the setup of a large premise or venue?

Certainly!

Shift Simulator excels at planning for broad areas.

Selecting an unsuitable sensor or failing to optimize by integrating complementary sensors can lead to significant costs and hassle—not just in hardware, but also in setup, wiring, networking, processing, and maintenance.

Interested in simulating an entire airport, from the parking lot to the terminal and tarmac? We've got you covered!

To what extent the solution has been proven?

We first developed the solution based on feedback from over 300 customers, each with real-world projects and sites.

Now, thousands of simulations are conducted regularly, making it an invaluable tool for many and the industry's first of its kind.

Can I do my own simulations?

Yes, the tool has been designed for ease of use, and no code or development is required.

When should I make simulations?

While simulating large areas is a must, planning even the most basic LiDAR installation without the right tool is impractical.

You should consider simulating your project as soon as you plan using 3D LiDAR perception in any project.

Does the simulator work only for people monitoring applications?

While monitoring people flow is certainly a key use case for our 3D Processing Software, it doesn't stop there.

Vehicle tracking, industrial applications like volume measurement, ensuring safety around machinery, and robotics all greatly benefit from simulation's advantages.

Shift Simulator has been crafted to be both user-friendly and robust across all these applications.

Keep in mind, though, that Shift Simulator isn't meant to take the place of an Automotive ADAS or Self-Driving Car simulation tool. Its true strengths shine when used for infrastructure-based solutions.

Can I use it for Automotive ADAS simulations?

Shift Simulator isn't meant to take the place of an Automotive ADAS or Self-Driving Car simulation tool.

Its true strengths shine when used for infrastructure-based solutions.

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