Waffle: The people counter that just won a top design award

It’s official. Our plug-and-play sensor Waffle just won the 2025 San Francisco Design Week Award for Industrial Design.

When we first dreamed up Waffle over a year ago, our goal was clear: Design a self-installable radar sensor elegant enough to blend into even the most Pinterest-worthy spaces. And with this award, it appears we’ve succeeded.

Waffle was designed with tight spaces in mind—think phone booths, flex areas and those cozy nooks everyone loves to hide out in. We wanted something sleek to complement high-end spaces. But also intuitive so that anyone could install it without breaking a sweat (no ladders or professional installers needed). As we like to say around the office, “Insights on day one.”

We worked with the teams at Level and Kyle Hay Design to bring our vision to life. 

Like the other sensors we manufacture, Waffle is a radar-based sensor. Long ago, we chose to focus our sensor technology on radar because unlike camera-based sensors, radar never captures any personally identifiable information. Radar sees without identifying, ensuring everyone stays safely anonymous. Waffle’s design is an homage to this approach. 

As the jury eloquently noted, “Waffle’s circular form is inspired by radar and satellite imagery, capturing the essence of sensing unseen data. The design perfectly balances friendly curves with sharp, precise touches, blending effortlessly into any workspace while quietly flaunting its advanced tech.”

Compact as a can of tuna, Waffle doesn’t require cumbersome Ethernet cables. Just plug in, stick it under desks, mount it on walls, install it in phone booths or tuck it under TV monitors. Total installation time: Three minutes. Compare that to the months-long installation process for setting up typical overhead sensors.

Instant setup means immediate insights—is the phone booth up for grabs? Is someone squatting in the conference room or is that a legit meeting? Read about more real-life scenarios in Beyond headcounts: Real use cases from Waffle’s first fans. 

Because it’s portable, Waffle easily moves wherever curiosity leads, helping organizations discover exactly how their spaces get used (or misused). As SF Design Week put it, “Whether expanding, downsizing, or embracing hybrid models, Waffle empowers organizations to boost sustainability, trim costs, and elevate the workplace experience.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves!

Interested in learning more about Waffle or other Density solutions?