Full Breakdown
Shelly Unveils Presence Gen4: mmWave Sensor for Multi-Zone Smart Home Automation
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Launch Details
- On October 15, 2026, Shelly Group announced the North American launch of the Shelly Presence Gen4, a millimeter-wave (mmWave) radar-based occupancy sensor.
- Retail price is $84.99 via the company’s U.S. store; broader distribution through Best Buy, Micro Center, Newegg and Amazon is expected in the weeks after launch.
- The device requires continuous power through a USB-C connector and can be wall-mounted, corner-mounted, or placed on a surface using its built-in stand.
Technical Capabilities
- Detects up to ten people simultaneously and supports ten independently configurable detection zones.
- mmWave radar senses micro-movements, allowing detection of occupants who are stationary or even breathing, a capability beyond traditional passive-infrared motion sensors.
- Field of view: 140° horizontal covering up to 650 sq ft when wall-mounted; 90° covering up to 525 sq ft when corner-mounted.
- Connectivity includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee and Matter (not all simultaneously), enabling native integration with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant and other ecosystems.
- Built-in ambient-light sensor reports dark, twilight or bright conditions; adjustable height thresholds let users filter pets, robot vacuums and other low-level objects.
Use-Case Scenarios
- Zone-based lighting: illuminate only occupied desks, seating areas or rooms.
- Energy efficiency: automatically turn off lights or appliances when no presence is detected.
- Comfort automation: trigger HVAC, shades or entertainment systems based on a person’s exact location within a room.
- Privacy-focused monitoring: provides real-time occupancy maps without any cameras and can operate via local control without cloud reliance.
Official Statements & Responses
Shelly stresses that the Gen4 offers cloud-free local control, giving users full privacy and security oversight. The company highlights the sensor’s fine-tunable settings, pet-filtering options, and the ability for advanced users to create custom scripts without relying on Shelly’s cloud services. Shelly’s CMO notes that the device expands automation reliability compared with traditional passive-infrared motion sensors, which often lose track of occupants who remain still.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Accurate presence detection unlocks the kind of smart home experience customers have long dreamed about, where everything from lighting to HVAC respond automatically without needing to lift a finger,” — Matt Brown
Market Context
Shelly’s Gen4 joins an emerging mmWave segment that already includes Aqara and Meross presence sensors, both of which combine radar with infrared or offer battery operation. Samsung is embedding mmWave radar into appliances such as refrigerators and smart TVs, creating “room-aware” devices without cameras. Shelly differentiates itself through multi-protocol connectivity, a strong emphasis on local control, and the capacity to configure up to ten zones per sensor.
What’s Next
Shelly plans to roll out software updates that will expand zone-management features and further refine detection algorithms. Retail availability at major U.S. electronics chains is slated for the weeks following the October 15, 2026 launch.