Automating Your Home with Presence Detection

Step by step

1. 1 min

   Mount your presence sensors correctly

   Install presence sensors in central locations within the room. Use the adhesive or screw mounts provided to ensure the sensor has a clear line of sight to high-activity areas. Avoid placing sensors directly behind furniture or near heat sources like radiators, which cause false triggers.

   Note: Presence sensors use mmWave radar to detect breathing and micro-movements, unlike traditional PIR motion sensors.
2. 1 min

   Pair sensors to your smart home hub

   Open your primary smart home application and navigate to Settings > Add Accessory. Follow the on-screen prompts to scan the QR code on your sensor. Ensure the device is assigned to the correct room within the home layout for logical grouping.

3. 1 min

   Create occupancy-based automations

   Navigate to the Automation tab and select the plus icon to create a new trigger. Choose the presence sensor as the trigger and select the condition When Occupancy is Detected. Select your target devices, such as smart lights or HVAC controls, and define the action they should take.

   Note: Set your lights to turn on at a specific brightness level rather than simple toggling.
4. 1 min

   Define vacancy timeouts

   Add a secondary condition for when the room is empty. Configure a timeout delay in the automation settings to prevent lights from turning off if you remain still for a moment. A standard delay of 5 to 10 minutes balances energy savings with convenience.

5. 1 min

   Verify automation performance

   Leave the room and remain still until the timeout period expires to ensure devices deactivate. Re-enter the room to confirm that the sensors detect your presence immediately and trigger the required devices. Adjust sensitivity levels in the device settings if triggers occur inconsistently.

   Note: If sensitivity is too high, it may detect movement through thin walls.