Philips Hue and other Zigbee-compatible smart bulbs may soon gain the ability to function as motion sensors without additional devices. This enhancement would allow automatic activation when a person enters a room without relying on standalone motion detectors.
Moreover, existing Hue bulbs are set to receive this new capability via an update to the Hue Bridge…
As someone who uses motion sensors to trigger my Philips Hue bulbs and light strips, I’ve noticed how convenient it is. For example, my kitchen and bathroom lights automatically illuminate when someone walks in, then turn off after two minutes of inactivity.
This innovative motion-sensing method could eliminate the need for extra equipment, as the bulbs themselves are expected to acquire the ability to detect motion independently.
The breakthrough lies in a technology that identifies interference in radio signals caused by movement in a room. This disruption can serve as a cue for controlling the bulbs, similar to conventional motion sensors.
One such technology, termed Sensify, was created by the wireless networking firm Ivani. Another version, known as Ambient Sensing, has been developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, which oversees Zigbee.
To function effectively, this technique relies on multiple Zigbee devices being present in the same area.
For Sensify on Zigbee, the detection zones encompass the area formed by a cluster of 3-4 devices. These areas effectively act as virtual sensors within the network, offering occupancy insights that can be utilized across various applications.
For example, several Zigbee devices organized in one room can deliver detailed room-level occupancy information.
Ivani mentions that its partner organizations can also leverage this type of motion detection for smart security applications.
Quick-response convenience triggers, like lighting up a room upon entry, typically respond in under 500 milliseconds, with 90% of actions occurring within a second of entering the detection area.
In contrast, security triggers, which cater to high-stakes applications like home safety, usually have a response time of several seconds but maintain an exceptionally low false positive rate of less than one false positive every six months. Both functionalities can run simultaneously using the same underlying data, allowing users to manage lighting and security effectively from a single device.
Any Zigbee-enabled device, including Philips Hue lights, can be upgraded to support this technology.
While Ivani hasn’t disclosed specific partner names, they did inform The Verge that tens of millions of devices are primed for activation.
The exciting aspect is that it can operate on devices already in many homes. “There are tens of millions of devices with the basic firmware out there; we’re just finalizing the features to enhance the overall experience,” Ivani co-founder Justin McKinney shared with The Verge.
A clear application for this technology would be within a Zigbee-based smart lighting setup like Philips Hue. Speculation about Hue developing Zigbee sensing technology has been in the air since its sister brand Wiz launched a similar system called SpaceSense in 2022, which utilizes WNS over Wi-Fi. According to reports from hueblog.com, Zigbee wireless network sensing is likely what Philips Hue will implement.
According to HueBlog, which first caught wind of these developments last year, Philips might be opting for Zigbee Ambient Sensing.
Recent updates suggest progress in this direction, as Zigbee Ambient Sensing appears to be the foundation for the upcoming functionality.
From what I have learned, Philips Hue requires at least three light sources in a room, strategically placed for optimal detection. A continuous power source for these lights is also essential, and users should have the ability to adjust the motion detection sensitivity.
Although no specific timeline has been provided, indications suggest that the wait may not be long.
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