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Blog Upgrade Zigbee Devices and Turn Them into Motion Sensors with A Firmware Update
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  • Author Author: Catwell
  • Date Created: 18 Feb 2025 7:27 PM Date Created
  • Views 1888 views
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  • motion_sensing
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Upgrade Zigbee Devices and Turn Them into Motion Sensors with A Firmware Update

Catwell
Catwell
18 Feb 2025

image

Three or four Zigbee devices grouped within a room act as virtual sensors that detect human movement, turning the lights on/off. (Image Credit: Ivani)

Zigbee bulbs and plugs have gotten a whole lot better. With a simple firmware update, these smart home devices turn into motion sensors that power lights on/off as you enter and exit the room. Sensify, an ambient sensing technology developed by Ivani, introduced Wireless Network Sensing (WNS) to Zigbee devices, and we may also see it work with the Philips Hue bridge. So far, tens of millions of devices have the base firmware, and Ivani is working on the final touches to get the full experience.

WNS works with WiFi, Thread, and Bluetooth and detects when humans interrupt radio frequencies. Three or more devices must be placed around a detection zone for Sensify to pick up motion and occupancy in that area. It can also enable more precise detections, depending on each device’s position. Each device transmits messages, reads network diagnostic data, and processes it for occupancy sensing decisions. 

Detection zones serve as virtual sensors within the network, providing occupancy data for various functionalities. For example, multiple Zigbee devices set in one room track “room-level granularity for occupancy data.” If you spread those devices around an average-sized home, they can detect multiple rooms or an entire floor. Connecting to other systems via a hub enables easier occupancy data implementation within larger home automation systems. 

Even though it doesn’t have mmWave sensing precision, Sensify performs very similarly to or better than passive infrared sensing (PIR). This tech also doesn’t require line of sight to function---essential for PIR. With a software update, Zigbee device owners can add Sensify to their systems as existing networks work with varying chipsets. Additionally, Sensify functions directly on the Zigbee network, and only the manufacturer deploying the tech can access the sensing data.

Sensify is ready to be implemented on Zigbee devices. Ivani’s partners are currently working on finishing touches to integrate the tech into their products. Those products should be getting updates within the next few months. Of course, Sensify for Zigbee devices has multiple applications, including automated lighting and security. Other potential use cases include elderly care and energy management. The bonus here is that additional hardware isn’t required to get that feature installed and ready.

Unknown companies are already using the Sensify technology that has been in the works since 2016. However, Ivani is working with some big household names to deploy the tech.

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