Shelly, known for its $50 subscription-free security camera released last month, unveiled a new smart home automation accessory today. The Presence Gen4 sensor employs mmWave radar technology to detect presence, motions, and activities of people and pets entirely without a camera. The device becomes available immediately through Shelly's online store at $84.99, with wider retail distribution to Amazon and Best Buy anticipated shortly.
The compact sensor can be placed on a shelf or table using its built-in stand, or permanently mounted to a wall to leverage its 140-degree horizontal field-of-view. It monitors spaces up to 650 square feet in area. Installation requires access to a power source for the sensor's USB-C cable, though the device integrates seamlessly with several major smart home platforms including Google Home, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Matter support.
Automations for lighting, heating, cooling, or even music can trigger when a person enters a space and then power off when they depart, conserving energy. Users may configure up to 10 independently customizable detection zones—for instance, a lamp turning on only when someone sits at a desk, or a home theater powering up when someone settles on the living room sofa. The system also permits inclusion of small detected objects like pets, or sensitivity adjustment to ignore low-to-ground objects, preventing automations from triggering while a robot vacuum cleans the floor.