Shelly’s new presence sensor simultaneously detects up to 10 people without a camera

Key points

• Shelly announced the Presence Gen4 sensor, which uses mmWave radar instead of a camera.
• It detects up to 10 people and is available today for $84.99 through Shelly's online store.
• The sensor covers up to 650 square feet with a 140-degree field of view and works with major smart home systems.

Shelly has announced a new smart home accessory called the Presence Gen4 sensor. It uses mmWave radar technology instead of a camera to detect the presence, motions, and activities of people and pets, and can track multiple people simultaneously without recording them.

The sensor is available starting today for $84.99 through Shelly's online store. It is expected to reach other retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy soon.

Mounting and coverage

The Presence Gen4 can be placed on a shelf or table using its built-in stand, or permanently mounted to a wall. In either position, it offers a 140-degree horizontal field of view and can monitor spaces up to 650 square feet.

Installation requires access to a power source for the sensor's USB-C cable.

Following the launch of its $50 subscription-free security camera last month, Shelly announced another new accessory for smart home automation today

— The Verge

Automation and compatibility

The sensor can trigger automations for lights, heating, cooling, or music when a person is detected entering a space, and turn them off when the person leaves to conserve power. Users can set up to 10 independently customizable detection zones, so a lamp only turns on when someone sits at a desk or a home theater powers up when someone sits on the sofa.

The Presence Gen4 integrates with Google Home, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant, with support for Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and Matter. Users can also include small objects like pets when detected, or adjust sensitivity to ignore low-to-the-ground objects so automations are not triggered by a robovac.