A € 15–30 presence sensor can save dozens of working hours per month. The logic is simple: the management system knows when the guest is expected to leave, while the sensor confirms whether the vehicle is still present. If the pitch is vacant and the sensor has detected no presence for 2 hours, it is automatically added to the cleaning list.
Useful types of sensors for a campsite
- PIR (passive infrared): detects human movement in an area up to 10 meters. Ideal for restrooms and common areas. Cost: € 8–20.
- Millimeter-wave radar (mmWave): detects presence even without movement (a person sitting still). Ideal for bathrooms and changing rooms. Cost: € 20–50.
- Magnetic door sensor: detects the opening/closing of restrooms or shower enclosures. Cost: € 5–15.
- Doppler radar for pitches: mounted on a pole, detects whether a vehicle is parked on the pitch. Range 10–30 meters. Cost: € 30–80.
- CO₂ sensor for bungalows: indicates whether the accommodation is occupied (high CO₂ = people present). Useful for smart HVAC.
Integration with Ovvo Camping via MQTT
The sensors send data over MQTT (a lightweight protocol for IoT) to a local broker (e.g., Mosquitto on Raspberry Pi or a mini PC). Ovvo Camping subscribes to the relevant topics and automatically updates the status of the pitches: 'occupied', 'to be cleaned', 'ready'. Cleaning staff can see the updated list in real time on their smartphones.
A campsite with 80 pitches reduced 'empty' cleaning shifts (the pitch was still occupied or had already been cleaned) by 30% by using magnetic sensors on the entrance gates paired with the management system.