The next gadget I buy to automate my smart home won't be a contact sensor for my doors or even a cheap motion detector. This is the year I'll be upgrading to a presence sensor. This device works by continuously tracking people in a space—it can tell if you plop down on the couch, move to work at your desk, or even hop into bed.
Unlike a motion sensor, which merely detects movement, a presence sensor uses a variety of technology such as radar, infrared, or ultrasonic waves to monitor changes in its surroundings.
They work by dividing your room up into separate zones that you can assign individual automations to and tracking you throughout them. This is like having several motion sensors at the same time but is much more accurate, as it can detect multiple people, and can sense when you sit or lay down over time. You can trigger actions in real-time like walking over to a desk to have your office lamp and computer monitor turn on to greet you and turning off when you walk away. Below are the three ways I plan to use one to improve my own smart home setup.
Energy efficiency
Save money and make your home even more convenient. From increasing your smart thermostat's temperature when you're in a room to turning off lights when you leave, you can use a presence sensor to lower your smart home's energy usage. This is an efficient way to optimize your space while you're actively in it and wind it down when you're away.
Personalize home automation
You can customize your work and play experience by having a presence sensor streamline your everyday routines. For example, you can use it to detect when you approach kitchen cabinets or your office desk to automatically turn on your smart lighting setup. Or, if you have a movie night, the presence sensor can turn on your TV and set the mood lighting based on where you sit on your couch. If you get up to take a break you can have it automatically turn on the lights as you pass into a zone and pause your TV show when you leave the room.
Home security
A presence sensor can detect motion in a room, so you can keep an eye out for unexpected visitors. Inversely, you can program the sensor to send you a notification if someone has been inactive in the same position for a long time, so you can check in on family members. For more thorough coverage, you can mount a presence sensor that has a Falling Detection Mode like the Aqara FP2 ($84, Amazon) on the ceiling to get an alert if an older or injured loved one falls.
