Shelly Unveils Presence Gen4 mmWave Radar Sensor
Shelly has expanded its smart home lineup with the new Presence Gen4 sensor, utilizing mmWave radar technology to track up to ten individuals simultaneously across large spaces without the need for a camera.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
Introduction to the Presence Gen4
Following the recent launch of its $50 subscription-free security camera last month, Shelly announced another new accessory for smart home automation today that can keep track of multiple people as they move through rooms or large spaces without recording them.
The Shelly Presence Gen4 sensor uses mmWave radar technology instead of a camera to detect the presence, motions, and activities of people and pets. It is available starting today for $84.99 through Shelly’s online store and is expected to hit other retailers like Amazon and Best Buy soon.
Design and Coverage Specifications
The Presence Gen4 can be perched on a shelf or a table using its built-in stand or permanently mounted to a wall to take full advantage of its 140-degree horizontal field of view, allowing it to monitor spaces up to 650 square feet in size.
Installation does require access to a power source for the sensor’s USB-C cable. Once powered, the hardware is designed to fit seamlessly into diverse home monitoring setups.
Smart Home Integration and Connectivity
The Presence Gen4 can be easily integrated into several smart home systems including Google Home, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant with support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Matter.
This broad ecosystem compatibility ensures users can easily tie the sensor into existing automation workflows regardless of their preferred central hub or control platform.
Customizable Detection Zones and Automation
Automations for turning on lights, heating, cooling, or even music can be triggered when a person is detected entering a space, and then turned off again when they leave to conserve power. You can set up to 10 independently customizable detection zones so that a lamp only turns on when someone actually sits at a desk, for example, or your home theater only powers up when someone plops down on the living room sofa.
Users also have the option to include small objects like pets when they’re detected, or adjust the Presence Gen4’s sensitivity so it ignores objects that are low to the ground, ensuring automations aren’t triggered while your robovac tidies your floor.
Availability and Ecosystem Expansion
As automation enthusiasts increasingly look for privacy-focused alternatives to traditional video surveillance, devices utilizing advanced radar sensing like Home Assistant integrations and other local-first platforms continue to gain traction.
The rollout of the Presence Gen4 marks another major step for Shelly's ecosystem expansion, offering an alternative solution for localized tracking and targeted lighting or climate control.
Sources
- The VergeShelly’s new presence sensor simultaneously detects up to ten people without a camera
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