How to set up presence detection with mmwave and pir

Presence detection is a critical part of a smart home setup. It helps automate lighting, security, and energy-saving features by determining whether someone is in a room or not. In a local-first smart home, using mmWave and PIR sensors can provide reliable, low-cost, and energy-efficient presence detection. This guide will walk you through setting up both types of sensors in your Home Assistant setup, with optional notes for HomeKit and Hubitat users.

Choosing the Right Sensors

Before diving into integration, it’s important to understand the differences between mmWave and PIR sensors. PIR (Passive Infrared) sensors detect heat signatures and are commonly used in motion sensors. They’re reliable for detecting movement but can be fooled by heat sources like the sun or a warm object. mmWave sensors, on the other hand, use radio waves to detect motion and are more accurate in detecting people, even in dark environments or when someone is still. They’re also less prone to false positives.

For a local-first setup, you want sensors that work well with your existing hub or gateway and integrate smoothly with Home Assistant. Here are some recommended products:

• mmWave sensors: Everything Presence One is a great option for mmWave presence detection. It’s compatible with Home Assistant and offers both mmWave and PIR detection.
• PIR sensors: Aqara Motion Sensor P2 is a high-quality, low-power PIR sensor that works well with Home Assistant and integrates with multiple platforms.

If you’re using a Zigbee or Z-Wave hub, make sure your sensors are compatible with your chosen protocol. For example, the Aqara Hub M3 supports both Zigbee and Z-Wave and is a solid choice for integrating multiple sensors.

Setting Up mmWave and PIR Sensors in Home Assistant

Once you’ve selected your sensors, the next step is to integrate them into your Home Assistant setup. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Step 1: Install and Pair the Sensors

Start by installing your sensors and pairing them with your hub. For mmWave sensors like the Everything Presence One, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to pair it with your hub. For PIR sensors like the Aqara Motion Sensor P2, ensure they’re properly installed in the room and within range of your hub.

Step 2: Add the Sensors to Home Assistant

Once the sensors are paired, add them to your Home Assistant configuration. If you’re using a Zigbee or Z-Wave hub, you’ll need to ensure your hub is properly configured in Home Assistant. For example, if you’re using a ConBee III, you’ll need to set up the hub in your configuration.yaml file.

For mmWave sensors, the Everything Presence One should automatically appear in your Home Assistant dashboard. If not, check the integration settings in the Home Assistant UI.

Step 3: Configure Automation

With the sensors in place, you can now create automations in Home Assistant to control your smart home devices based on presence. For example, you can set up an automation to turn off lights when no motion is detected for a certain period. You can use the input_boolean or input_text entities to create a presence state that your automations can reference.

Here’s a simple automation example to turn off lights when presence is detected:

- alias: Turn off lights when no presence
  trigger:
    - platform: state
      entity_id: sensor.presence
      to: 'no'
  action:
    - service: light.turn_off
      target:
        entity_id: light.all

This automation will turn off all lights when the presence sensor detects no activity. You can customize this to suit your specific needs, such as turning off lights after a certain period of inactivity.

Step 4: Monitor and Adjust

After setting up your sensors and automations, monitor their performance and make adjustments as needed. If you’re using both mmWave and PIR sensors, you might want to combine their data to get a more accurate presence detection. For example, you can use the state of both sensors to determine if someone is present.

Cross-Platform Integration with HomeKit and Hubitat

If you’re using HomeKit, you can integrate your sensors through a hub like the Apple HomePod Mini or the Home Assistant Green. HomeKit has some limitations with mmWave sensors, so you might need to use a third-party hub like the Home Assistant Green for full integration.

For Hubitat, you can use the Hubitat Elevation C8 to integrate your sensors. Hubitat provides a more flexible and powerful environment for automation, making it a great choice for advanced users.

Quick Verdict

Setting up presence detection with mmWave and PIR sensors in a local-first smart home is a practical and effective way to enhance your automation. While mmWave sensors offer more accurate detection, PIR sensors are a cost-effective alternative. By integrating these sensors with Home Assistant, you can create a more responsive and energy-efficient smart home. For cross-platform integration, consider using a hub like the Home Assistant Green or Hubitat Elevation C8 to ensure compatibility across different ecosystems.