Shelly’s New Presence Sensor Simultaneously Detects Up To 10 People Without A Camera
AIThis post was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI).

TL;DR

Buying for a business?Offer from Amazon

Get business pricing on tools and workshop supplies

  • Business-only prices and quantity discounts
  • Tax-exempt purchasing
  • Multiple users, one account, clear invoices
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

Shelly announced the Presence Gen4, a camera-free smart-home sensor that the company says can detect up to 10 people at once using mmWave radar. It costs $84.99 through Shelly’s online store and supports several smart-home platforms and connectivity standards.

Shelly has announced the Presence Gen4, a smart-home sensor that uses mmWave radar rather than a camera to detect people, movement and activity, with the ability to track up to 10 people simultaneously, according to the company. The device is priced at $84.99 and is available through Shelly’s online store, offering a way to trigger home automations without recording video.

The Presence Gen4 can sit on a shelf or table using its built-in stand, or be mounted on a wall. Shelly lists a 140-degree horizontal field of view and coverage of spaces up to 650 square feet. The sensor requires a nearby power source for its USB-C cable, so placement depends on access to an outlet or other suitable power connection.

Its detection features can be configured through up to 10 independently customizable zones. A homeowner could set one zone to switch on a desk lamp when someone sits at a desk, for example, while another could trigger a home theater system when a person enters a seating area. Automations can also turn lights, heating, cooling or music off after people leave.

Shelly says the device works with Google Home, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings and Home Assistant. Its listed connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee and Matter. Users can configure detection to include pets or adjust sensitivity to ignore low objects, such as a robot vacuum, that might otherwise activate an automation.

At a glance
announcementWhen: Announced and available through Shelly’…
The developmentShelly has launched the Presence Gen4, a camera-free radar sensor designed to detect multiple people and trigger smart-home automations.

Radar Detection Without Video

The device is aimed at a common smart-home problem: motion sensors can switch off lights when someone is sitting still, while cameras raise privacy concerns for some households. Shelly’s product uses radar-based presence detection to identify people and activity without capturing video, according to the company. That could make room-level automations more useful in settings where occupants remain in one place, such as a desk or sofa.

Its support for several smart-home platforms and standards may also make it easier to add the sensor to an existing setup rather than build around a single ecosystem. The $84.99 price, however, places it above many basic motion sensors, and the practical value will depend on how reliably it detects occupants in a given room and how well it works with a household’s other devices.

KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer K45SS, Onyx Black

KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer K45SS, Onyx Black

Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker CM401, 10-Cup Carafe, Fold-Away Frother, Black

Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker CM401, 10-Cup Carafe, Fold-Away Frother, Black

Bose QuietComfort True Wireless Earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation, Black

Bose QuietComfort True Wireless Earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation, Black

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

Shelly’s Latest Smart-Home Device

The launch follows Shelly’s introduction of a $50 subscription-free security camera the previous month, according to The Verge’s report. The Presence Gen4 serves a different purpose: rather than providing camera footage, it is designed to detect presence and support automation triggers.

The report says the sensor was available from Shelly’s online store on announcement day, with sales through Amazon and Best Buy expected later. Shelly’s combination of multiple detection zones and compatibility with established smart-home services positions the product as an accessory for people seeking more specific room-by-room controls.

“The sensor can monitor spaces up to 650 square feet.”

— Shelly, as reported by The Verge

Performance Claims Still Untested

The available report does not provide independent test results for the 10-person detection claim, the stated coverage area or the sensor’s ability to distinguish people from pets and other movement. It also does not explain how detection performs through walls, around furniture or in rooms with multiple occupants moving at once. The product’s listed capabilities are therefore Shelly’s specifications, not independently verified results.

It is also not clear from the report whether all features and integrations work identically across every supported platform, or whether setup requires additional configuration. Shelly has not provided a confirmed date for availability at Amazon or Best Buy in the material cited.

Retail Availability and Reviews

The Presence Gen4 is available through Shelly’s online store for $84.99, while sales at Amazon and Best Buy are expected but not dated. Prospective buyers will need to check those retailers for availability and confirm that the sensor’s connectivity and platform support fit their smart-home setup.

Independent reviews and hands-on testing should help establish how accurately the sensor tracks multiple people, how dependable its configurable zones are, and whether it avoids unwanted triggers from pets or cleaning devices. Until then, the confirmed information is limited to Shelly’s published specifications and the launch details reported by The Verge.

Key Questions

What is the Shelly Presence Gen4?

It is a smart-home presence sensor that uses mmWave radar to detect people, movement and activity without a camera, according to Shelly.

How many people can it detect at once?

Shelly says the Presence Gen4 can detect up to 10 people simultaneously. The report does not include independent testing of that claim.

How much does the Presence Gen4 cost?

The listed price is $84.99 through Shelly’s online store. Amazon and Best Buy availability was expected, but no date was given.

Which smart-home systems does it support?

Shelly lists support for Google Home, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings and Home Assistant, along with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee and Matter connectivity.

Does the sensor need to be plugged in?

Yes. The report says it uses a USB-C cable and needs access to a power source. It can be placed on a shelf or table or mounted on a wall.

Source: rss

You May Also Like

Say Goodbye To Basic Blackstone Griddle Storage With An Affordable Home Depot Hack

A viral DIY uses Home Depot storage totes and drawer slides to add storage under a Blackstone griddle shelf for less than $60.

Keep Your Old Paint Can To Build The Easiest Bird Feeder

A simple DIY reuses a cleaned paint can as a bird feeder, with a perch and hanger. Paint residue and secure installation require care.

7 Designer-Approved Paint Tricks That Make Any Small Room Feel Bigger

House Beautiful’s report shares seven designer paint strategies for changing how small rooms look, from color-drenching to choosing shades by natural light.

The “Home Of The Future” Is Here, Thanks To Home Depot’s New Tech Tool

Home Depot’s Hubspace app controls compatible devices across multiple categories, showcased in House Beautiful’s Charleston Whole Home project.