A method performed by at least one processor , comprising: receiving measurement data from at least one sensor that detects a signal reflected from a surface inside a platform; applying a likelihood ratio test using the measurement data; determining a load status of the platform based on the likelihood ratio test, the load status of the platform representing an amount of physical items in the platform, the likelihood ratio test being effected by comparing a plurality of models including a null model representing an empty platform and an alternative model representing a loaded platform that contains at least one physical item, the signal being indicative of a reflection coefficient of the surface inside the platform, wherein: for the null model the surface inside the platform is a surface of an empty platform, and the null model is further based on an effective reflective area of a field of view of the at least one sensor and a round-trip time shift attributed to the reflection; for the alternative model the surface inside the platform is a surface of at least one physical item, and the alternative model is further based on an effective reflective area of the at least one physical item and a round-trip time shift attributed to the reflection; and transmitting, over a network using a communication transceiver, a load status indication based on the determined load status. receiving measurement data from at least one sensor that detects a signal reflected from a surface inside a platform; applying a likelihood ratio test using the measurement data; determining a load status of the platform based on the likelihood ratio test, the load status of the platform representing an amount of physical items in the platform, the likelihood ratio test being effected by comparing a plurality of models including a null model representing an empty platform and an alternative model representing a loaded platform that contains at least one physical item, the signal being indicative of a reflection coefficient of the surface inside the platform, wherein: for the null model the surface inside the platform is a surface of an empty platform, and the null model is further based on an effective reflective area of a field of view of the at least one sensor and a round-trip time shift attributed to the reflection; for the alternative model the surface inside the platform is a surface of at least one physical item, and the alternative model is further based on an effective reflective area of the at least one physical item and a round-trip time shift attributed to the reflection; and for the null model the surface inside the platform is a surface of an empty platform, and the null model is further based on an effective reflective area of a field of view of the at least one sensor and a round-trip time shift attributed to the reflection; for the alternative model the surface inside the platform is a surface of at least one physical item, and the alternative model is further based on an effective reflective area of the at least one physical item and a round-trip time shift attributed to the reflection; and transmitting, over a network using a communication transceiver, a load status indication based on the determined load status. <EOS>