Automation with radar sensors
For smart homes
Home automation is an essential part of the future living environment, serving to make life more convenient. Learn more about the role and benefits of radar sensors in the field of home automation.
A concept from industry is now cosying up at home: automation. In the age of Industry 4.0, not only work and production processes are being automated; smart technology is also being further developed to create autonomous assistants. However, this development benefits not only companies but also private consumers. Home automation is a part of the rapidly spreading smart home trend.
Use of sensors in home automation
From electric roller blinds or garage doors, which can open or close in response to a sensor signal, to alarm systems or hoovering robots. To pave the way for home automation, innovative technology is required. As in industry, an important step to achieve this is the integration of radar sensors in technical systems and appliances.
Popular digital butler systems also employ sensors to detect, for example, the presence or absence of a person. The digital display on the refrigerator would like to know whether there is a person for it to interact with. Thanks to built-in sensors, modern speech assistants and multimedia electronics will not be limited to passive communication, but could interact proactively. And without having to listen in. Another tempting technological application consists of a coffee machine that prepares your favourite coffee as you enter the room.
Sensors allow all these devices to be controlled as required and without contact. In the absence of potential users, the devices automatically switch to standby mode and save energy. Intelligent heating and air conditioning systems react to the presence or absence of persons, thereby optimising the room climate and energy consumption. In addition to the efficient use of technical devices, sensors also play a major role in security. Automatic deactivation of possible electronic fire sources, locking of windows and doors, and the traditional alarm system is controlled via detection of movement and user presence. Rooms are lit via innovative lighting concepts when users enter the room and shut down when they leave it. Home automation ensures maximum gains in terms of energy efficiency, convenience, and security in smart homes.
Compact radar sensors installed in electronic devices for your home will spread rapidly, as they currently are in the automotive industry. The entire range of applications of the sensors will only become clearer once the technology’s benefits have been more fully revealed.
10 advantages of radar sensors in home automation
1. Contactless control
The sensors’ motion detection not only proves advantageous for discreet automation, but also enables a new generation of switch systems. Contactless switches are particularly popular for hygienic reasons and form the basis of future gesture control.
2. Need-based control
Through the detection of users’ presence and absence, the signals processed by the sensor are transmitted to machines and systems in order to automatically trigger the particular response required.
3. Identifying movement patterns and direction
Knowledge of motion patterns or direction allows technical systems to adapt to habits or react to only certain sequences of movement.
4. The scope of the detection range
Radar sensors have a very large detection range. In the field of home automation, the flexible configuration of the radar technology range is required in order to use sensors for short distances (e.g. contactless switches) and longer distances (e.g. lighting control through movement).
5. Invisible integration and penetration of plastics
The compact design helps to integrate the sensors discreetly behind plastic covers. Ideal for devices with elegant design.
6. Reliability even in extreme conditions
Water vapour, dust, heat, or cold does not prevent radar sensors from processing signals. Even loud noise levels do not interfere with the sensor. Modules can be pulsed for current-sensitive applications.
7. Conservation of anonymity (compliance with data protection)
Radar is particularly popular in the area of security technology in part due to its conservation of anonymity. Regarding personal rights and data protection regulations, permanent video surveillance is sometimes difficult to implement. Since radar does not create real images of people or the interior of an apartment, sensors are a good alternative in the area of security.
8. Low power consumption
Since radar sensors developed for home automation are designed for low energy consumption, the sensors boast a clear advantage in terms of energy management.
9. The recording of speed and distance
Radar sensors can also determine the speed and distance of an object or person if necessary and enable an ideally suited response.
10. The differentiation of objects and zones
Similarly to a filter function, radar sensors can differentiate between relevant and irrelevant detections. Configuration of the sensor allows signals outside of a defined zone to be ignored.
All of these features combined in a single sensor forms the perfect basis for the intelligent control of devices within smart homes. Standardised products with a strong price/performance ratio make radar technology of increasing interest to manufacturers of electronic devices. Many end users are often unaware what technology drives their smart products. To the contrary, manufacturers of smart household appliances or multimedia electronics investigate sensor technology possibilities in order to meet the increasing demand by consumers for more convenience and security.
Two radar sensors that have already successfully established themselves in the field of home automation are shown in brief in the following videos.
picture: © zhu difeng by adobe stock
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Building Automation & Smart Home
Contactless and intelligent control for modern technology
Radar sensors take on many tasks for us, thus making our everyday lives easier, safer, and more efficient. They are a kind of sensory organ for objects for perceiving their surroundings. These technological assistants open up new possibilities for operating devices: contactless interaction between humans and devices. The sensors are the link for triggering or automating certain actions without contact or automating them.