AXIS P8815-2 3D People Counter Discontinued: Specs, Support Dates and Alternatives

The AXIS P8815-2 3D People Counter is discontinued, and Axis names its AXIS Object Analytics software as the replacement. Installed counters keep working, and Axis states that hardware support runs until the end of 2031 and AXIS OS support until the end of 2030. Retailers and building owners with P8815-2 units therefore have time, but they should plan how to replace failed units and how to expand to new sites.

This article summarizes the P8815-2's published specifications, explains the replacement options, and gives a checklist for choosing a successor that fits the same entrances and keeps your historical footfall data comparable.

Disclosure: Pyroglaux is not affiliated with Axis Communications. AXIS and AXIS P8815-2 are trademarks of Axis AB. All AXIS figures below come from the official Axis datasheet and product support page, checked in October 2026.

AXIS P8815-2 at a glance

The AXIS P8815-2 was a well-regarded ceiling-mounted 3D people counter for retail and public buildings. It built a 3D depth map to count people in difficult light, and supported occupancy estimation, tailgating and wrong-way detection. The key published specifications are:

Specification	AXIS P8815-2 (official datasheet)
Counting method	3D depth map, bi-directional counting, occupancy estimation
Mounting height	250 to 600 cm
Maximum counting area	199 × 46 cm at 250 cm; 306 × 100 cm at 300 cm; 400 × 208 cm at 400 cm; 400 × 225 cm at 500 to 600 cm
Wide entrances	Two counters can be connected
Object filtering	Excludes objects below about 110 cm
Data	Stored on the device up to 90 days; upload to AXIS Store Reporter (sold separately) or third-party software through API; MQTT
Power	PoE IEEE 802.3af/802.3at Type 1 Class 3, typical 4.4 W, max 6 W
Operating temperature	0 to 50 °C
Dimensions and weight	168 × 78 × 30 mm, 450 g
Warranty (when sold)	5 years

Source: AXIS P8815-2 datasheet and the Axis product support page. The datasheet does not state a counting accuracy percentage.

What "discontinued" means for current users

A discontinued product is no longer sold new, but installed units do not stop working. For the P8815-2, Axis publishes two dates that matter for planning:

• Hardware support and RMA service until 31 December 2031. Faulty units can be repaired or replaced through Axis until then.
• AXIS OS support until 31 December 2030. After that, the device stops receiving firmware and security updates. Network security teams often require devices to be replaced or isolated once updates end.

The practical problems usually appear earlier: new stores cannot be fitted with the same model, spare units become hard to buy, and reporting tools may need to handle two kinds of counters at once.

Your replacement options

Option 1: Stay with Axis through AXIS Object Analytics

Axis names AXIS Object Analytics as the replacement. Object Analytics is software that runs on supported Axis cameras and includes people counting scenarios. This path suits organizations that already standardize on Axis cameras and video management, and want counting to be part of the same camera estate. Check with your Axis partner which camera models and mounting positions are recommended for entrance counting at your door widths and ceiling heights.

Option 2: A dedicated 3D stereo people counter

A dedicated overhead 3D stereo counter is the closest like-for-like replacement for the P8815-2's job: a single device above the entrance that counts in and out from depth data, filters out carts and children below a height threshold, and outputs counts to a reporting platform or API. This option suits retailers who care most about entrance accuracy for conversion rate and want counting independent of their CCTV system.

Option 3: Camera analytics on existing CCTV or an AI edge box

Where cameras already cover the entrance, counting can run as analytics on the cameras or on an AI edge box. This is cost-effective for occupancy and zone analytics, but angled CCTV cameras are less accurate than an overhead counter at busy entrances. For a full comparison of the technologies, read infrared vs camera vs 3D people counters.

Checklist: choosing a replacement for P8815-2 entrances

1. Match the mounting height. Your P8815-2 units are mounted between 2.5 and 6 meters. Confirm the replacement covers the same height range, so you can reuse cable runs and ceiling positions.
2. Match the counting width. Measure each entrance. Where you used two P8815-2 units on one entrance, check how many replacement sensors cover the same width at your ceiling height.
3. Check power. The P8815-2 draws up to 6 W over standard PoE. Most 3D counters also run on PoE, so existing switches and cables can usually be reused; confirm the power class.
4. Keep the data flowing. List where counts go today: AXIS Store Reporter, a BI tool, a POS integration or a third-party platform. Ask how the new counter delivers data, for example REST API, MQTT, FTP export or SDK, and plan the mapping of door IDs. Our people counting API guide explains common formats.
5. Keep history comparable. Run the old and new counters side by side at two or three doors for a week, compare the totals, and record the switch date in your reports.
6. Check filtering and privacy settings. The P8815-2 excludes objects below about 110 cm. Check how the replacement handles children, strollers and carts, and whether it stores or streams images.
7. Validate accuracy. Ask for the stated accuracy and the test method, then do a manual or video count of a busy hour after installation.
8. Plan spares and support. Agree warranty terms, spare stock and how failed units will be swapped across your sites.

How a 3D stereo counter compares on paper

As an example of option 2, the table compares the P8815-2's published figures with the manufacturer's specifications for the Pyroglaux PCBot-R40 3D stereo people counter. Always confirm suitability for your entrances with a site survey or pilot.

Item	AXIS P8815-2	Pyroglaux PCBot-R40
Status	Discontinued	Available
Counting method	3D depth map	3D stereo vision with AI tracking
Stated accuracy	Not stated in datasheet	98% or better (manufacturer specification), including people walking less than 20 cm apart
Mounting height	2.5 to 6 m	1.5 to 6 m across model versions
Field of view	Counting area up to 400 × 225 cm	100° horizontal × 70° vertical
Power	PoE, max 6 W	PoE
Data during outages	Stored up to 90 days	Offline storage with resend when the network returns
Integration	API, MQTT, AXIS Store Reporter	Open interfaces, SDK, RS485 extension
Extra analytics	Occupancy, tailgating, wrong-way detection	Dwell time, flow direction, zone heat maps

The P8815-2 offered features that some sites rely on, such as tailgating detection and Axis ecosystem integration, so check which functions you actually use before choosing. For retail sites that mainly need accurate in and out counts for conversion rate, a dedicated 3D counter is usually the simplest swap.

A sensible migration plan

1. Inventory. List every installed P8815-2: site, door, mounting height, entrance width, firmware version and where its data goes.
2. Pilot. Choose two or three typical entrances, install the replacement next to the existing counter, and compare a week of data.
3. Decide the rule. For example: new stores get the new counter immediately; failed P8815-2 units are replaced by the new counter; the remaining fleet is replaced before AXIS OS support ends in 2030.
4. Update reporting. Map new device IDs to doors and stores, and flag the switch date in dashboards.

If you are planning a migration, send us your list of entrances with widths, ceiling heights and current reporting system. We will propose a replacement layout and help you run a side-by-side pilot. See the PCBot-R40 and the full smart counting range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the AXIS P8815-2 discontinued?

Yes. Axis lists the AXIS P8815-2 3D People Counter as discontinued and names AXIS Object Analytics as the replacement. According to the Axis product support page, hardware support and RMA service run until 31 December 2031 and AXIS OS is supported until 31 December 2030.

Do I have to replace my AXIS P8815-2 counters now?

No. Installed units keep counting, and Axis still supports them for several years. Plan the replacement around your budget cycle, store refits or the end of the support period, and buy replacements before you run out of spare units.

Can I mix old AXIS counters with new counters from another brand?

Yes, as long as both feed the same reporting system and you validate the new counters against the old ones at a few doors. Expect small differences in counts, and mark the switch date in your reports so that year-on-year comparisons stay meaningful.

What does AXIS Object Analytics replace?

AXIS Object Analytics is analytics software that runs on supported Axis cameras and includes people counting scenarios. It is a software path within the Axis camera ecosystem rather than a like-for-like dedicated 3D stereo counter.

Is Pyroglaux affiliated with Axis Communications?

No. Pyroglaux is an independent brand. Axis and AXIS are trademarks of Axis AB. The AXIS specifications in this article are taken from the official Axis datasheet and support pages.