Shelly Launches Gen4 Presence Sensor Using Radar to Track Ten People
The new Shelly Presence Gen4 uses mmWave radar to detect up to ten people and pets without cameras, launching today at $84.99 with wide smart home support.
Key points
- Shelly announced the Presence Gen4 sensor today, priced at $84.99 and available via its online store.
- The device uses mmWave radar to track up to ten people and pets without recording video or using a camera.
- It supports major ecosystems including Google Home, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Matter over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee.
Shelly announced the launch of its Presence Gen4 sensor today, introducing a smart home accessory that tracks multiple occupants without using a camera. According to The Verge, the device uses millimeter-wave radar technology to detect presence, motion, and activities in rooms or large spaces. This release follows the company’s launch of a subscription-free security camera last month, expanding its hardware portfolio for home automation.
The sensor is available starting today for $84.99 through Shelly’s online store, with plans to reach retailers like Amazon and Best Buy soon. The device can monitor spaces up to 650 square feet using a 140-degree horizontal field of view. Users can install it on shelves or tables with a built-in stand, or mount it permanently on a wall. Installation requires access to a power source for the sensor’s USB-C cable, ensuring continuous operation for its radar functions.
Technical Capabilities and Automation Features
The Presence Gen4 allows users to set up to ten independently customizable detection zones within its coverage area. This granularity enables specific automations, such as turning on a lamp only when someone sits at a desk or powering up a home theater when a person sits on a sofa. The system can distinguish between people and smaller objects, allowing users to include pets in detection zones or adjust sensitivity to ignore low-to-the-ground items like robot vacuums. These settings help prevent false triggers while conserving power by turning off lights, heating, cooling, or music when spaces are empty.
Smart Home Integration and Compatibility
The sensor integrates with several major smart home systems, including Google Home, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant. It supports multiple connectivity protocols, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Matter, providing flexibility for users with diverse hardware ecosystems. This broad compatibility ensures that the radar-based detection data can trigger automations across different devices and platforms. The absence of a camera addresses privacy concerns for users who want occupancy tracking without visual recording, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional video-based sensors.
What should you do?
Security and technology professionals should note that radar sensors like the Presence Gen4 do not capture visual data, which may reduce certain privacy risks associated with camera-based monitoring. However, users should verify that the device’s network connections are secured, as it relies on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Matter. Homeowners interested in privacy-preserving automation should evaluate whether radar detection meets their specific occupancy tracking needs. Those with existing smart home setups should check compatibility with their current hubs and protocols before purchasing.
What to do and how to stay safe: Shelly
- Verify that your smart home hub supports the specific protocols (Matter, Zigbee, Bluetooth) used by the new sensor to ensure seamless integration.
- Review your network security settings to ensure that new IoT devices connecting via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth are isolated from critical network segments.
- Test the detection zones and sensitivity settings in your specific environment to confirm that the radar correctly distinguishes between people, pets, and moving objects like vacuums.
- Monitor the device’s firmware for updates from the vendor to address any potential security vulnerabilities that may emerge in future releases.
Step-by-step guide: Mobile Device Security: How to Protect Data Beyond Passwords
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Shelly Presence Gen4 record video or use a camera?
No, the sensor uses mmWave radar technology to detect presence and motion without recording video or using a camera, according to The Verge.
How many people can the sensor track simultaneously?
The Presence Gen4 can detect and track up to ten people independently, allowing for customizable detection zones within its coverage area.
Is the sensor battery-powered or does it require a wired connection?
The sensor requires access to a power source via its USB-C cable, meaning it is not battery-powered and must be installed near an outlet.
