CES 2025: Aqara’s Latest “presence Sensor” Provides Light Better Than a Motion Detector
One of the most common sensors that people buy for their home is a motion sensor. But in almost all cases, you need a presence sensor instead. I’d like the FP300 that Aqara unveiled today at CES 2025.
Motion sensors are triggered when lighting changes. When people cross the room, the light changes and a motion sensor is triggered; As long as people move enough, the motion sensor works fine. But anyone who’s been left working in an office or library late at night knows that if you don’t move around enough, the motion sensors won’t be able to detect you in the room, and if the lighting is motion-dependent, you’ll end up sitting in the dark.
The presence sensor uses wave radar technology to scan a room, tracking the slightest movement rather than the broad gestures that a motion sensor might pick up. If you are breathing, the presence sensor will detect it. It can even detect if someone has fallen to the floor. They are also great at recognizing the differences between pets and people. Any type of automation that relies on detecting the presence of people in a room will likely be better served by an occupancy sensor than a motion sensor. From a user’s perspective, they work the same way: you mount a sensor high on a wall or ceiling and ask it to automate using motion as a trigger. This sensor will work with Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Home Assistant, Homey and SmartThings.
Aqara invented the FP1 presence sensor back in 2021. They released FP2 in 2023. Each time, Aqara has received awards from major organizations, includingIFA and CES . Both previous occupancy sensors work so well that the news of the new sensor taking me by surprise. What functionality could they add?
Well, the FP3 uses a battery, and while that may seem small, it’s not. Most sensors still use constant power, which means a plug; I’ve never seen wireless motion or presence sensors. For the amount of activity they see, they usually need a constant flow of electricity, but having a cord is inconvenient for installing the sensor where it needs to be.
Here’s why these sensors aren’t used as often as they could be: cords are a pain. So a wireless sensor is of great value if it works well. You don’t have to charge it every month or remove and change batteries. Akara says the battery will last two years.
There are other improvements besides the battery. The FP300 supports Matter and also supports Threads and Zigbee; with such cross-platform support, it will be usable in the next few years. Aqara has used a variety of sensor technologies to detect what is happening within 20 feet of the sensor: millimeter waves (a series of radio waves), passive infrared sensors, light, temperature and humidity sensors.
Aqara is, in my opinion, the best sensor company, with the widest library of smart home sensors. These are also the most reliable sensors I’ve tested; The app is well designed and the sensors are easy to connect and start using right away. I’m looking forward to testing this particular sensor, but I don’t have a release date or price yet.