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Shelly has announced the Presence Gen4, a camera-free smart home sensor that uses mmWave radar to detect up to 10 people at once. It is available from Shelly for $84.99 and supports multiple smart home platforms and up to 10 customizable detection zones.
Shelly has announced the Presence Gen4, a camera-free smart home sensor that uses mmWave radar to detect the presence and movement of up to 10 people at once. The device is available through Shelly’s online store for $84.99 and can trigger home automations based on where people are detected.
The sensor can sit on a shelf or table using its built-in stand, or be mounted on a wall. Shelly says its 140-degree horizontal field of view lets it monitor spaces of up to 650 square feet. It connects to power through a USB-C cable, so placement depends on access to a suitable power source.
The Presence Gen4 can be configured with up to 10 independently customizable detection zones. A user could, for example, set a light to turn on only when someone is in a desk area, or trigger a home theater setup when someone is on a sofa. Automations can also turn devices off after people leave, according to the report.
Shelly’s device supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee and Matter and can be integrated with Google Home, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings and Home Assistant. The sensor can include pets in detection, while adjustable sensitivity can help exclude low-to-the-ground objects such as a robot vacuum. The report says other retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy, are expected to carry it, but does not provide a date for those listings.
Radar Detection Without a Camera
The product offers households a way to trigger presence-based automations without placing a camera in the monitored room. MmWave radar detects presence and movement rather than recording video, which may appeal to people who want occupancy-based lighting or climate controls but do not want a camera in private spaces. The source does not provide independent testing of the sensor’s detection accuracy or make broader privacy guarantees about how its data is handled.
Its potential usefulness also depends on how reliably it identifies people, pets and movement within a particular room. The advertised multiple detection zones could support more targeted routines than a simple room-wide motion trigger, while compatibility with several major smart home systems gives buyers more options for connecting it to existing equipment. The device’s price, power requirement and eventual availability at other stores may factor into purchase decisions.
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Shelly’s Latest Smart Home Accessory
The Presence Gen4 follows Shelly’s launch of a $50 subscription-free security camera the previous month, according to The Verge. The two products use different approaches: the new sensor is intended to track presence and activity without a camera, while the earlier product is a camera.
Shelly is positioning the Gen4 as an automation accessory rather than a standalone security camera. Its stated uses include switching lights, heating, cooling or music in response to people entering or leaving a space. The report says the sensor is on sale through Shelly’s online store now, with Amazon and Best Buy among the retailers expected to offer it later.
Detection Performance and Retail Dates
The source does not provide independent test results showing how consistently the sensor can detect 10 people simultaneously, distinguish people from pets, or maintain detection across the advertised coverage area. It also does not explain how performance may vary with room layout, obstacles or installation position. Those details should not be treated as verified performance beyond the claims in the report.
The report does not specify how presence data is processed or stored, whether any data leaves the home, or what privacy controls are available. Shelly’s online store is listed as the current sales channel at $84.99; the timing of availability at Amazon and Best Buy remains unspecified.
Retail Rollout and Hands-On Testing
The next expected development is the sensor’s arrival at other retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy, though no dates are given in the report. Buyers can currently check Shelly’s online store for availability and product details.
Independent testing could clarify how well the Gen4 handles crowded rooms, pets, low objects and separate detection zones in everyday use. Further information from Shelly about data handling, setup requirements and retailer rollout would also help customers compare the sensor with camera-based and other presence-detection products.
Key Questions
What does the Shelly Presence Gen4 do?
It uses mmWave radar to detect the presence and movement of people and pets, then can trigger smart home automations such as turning lights or heating on or off.
Can it detect 10 people at once?
The Verge report says the sensor can detect up to 10 people simultaneously. The supplied source does not include independent test results confirming performance in different rooms or conditions.
Does the sensor use a camera?
No camera is used for the Presence Gen4’s detection, according to the report. It uses mmWave radar. Details about data processing and storage were not provided in the source material.
How much does it cost, and where is it available?
The listed price is $84.99, and the report says it is available through Shelly’s online store. Amazon and Best Buy are expected to carry it, but no retail dates were stated.
What smart home systems does it support?
The report lists Google Home, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings and Home Assistant, along with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee and Matter connectivity.
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