SwitchBot has released a new battery-powered Presence Sensor, which combines a 60Hz mmWave radar, Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor, and ambient light sensor.
The sensor blends a 60Hz mmWave radar, PIR sensor, and light sensor to deliver accurate, stable presence monitoring according to SwitchBot. The PIR sensor handles rapid motion when someone enters a room, while the mmWave radar detects micro-movements such as breathing or subtle posture shifts. This ensures the sensor can maintain occupancy status even when a person is completely still.
The integrated light sensor measures ambient brightness, enabling context-aware automations so lights or appliances activate only when the room is genuinely occupied. Anti-interference features include AI-driven environmental learning, allowing the sensor to distinguish movement patterns from fans or air conditioners to reduce false positives. For homes with pets, presence sensitivity can be fine-tuned via the adjustable magnetic base to avoid unwanted triggers.
The device runs for up to two years on just two AAA batteries. Its magnetic base, which can also be fixed with adhesive — allows flexible placement on walls, desks, or metal surfaces, all without wiring. With an IPX5 rating, it’s suitable for bathrooms and other humid environments. Detection ranges include up to 8 metres for movement and up to 5 metres for static presence, within a 120º field of view.
Bluetooth and Matter support
The New presence sensor uses Bluetooth and must connect through one of SwitchBot’s Matter-enabled hubs. While it is Matter-compatible, this compatibility is achieved only via SwitchBot’s hub ecosystem. It also works with Home Assistant, making presence and ambient-light data available across multiple platforms.
You can pick up the new SwitchBot presence sensor from Amazon via this link
