Traditional infrared presence sensors are cheap, but unreliable for smart homes, often turning off lights if you remain still for even a few seconds. Millimeter-wave (mmWave) radar modules offer a far superior alternative by detecting micro-movements like breathing and even tracking a person's exact 2D position in a room. However, commercial mmWave presence sensors can cost anywhere from $40 to $100. To solve this pricing barrier, github user FeatureNAB designed an open-source, DIY mmWave sensor that delivers premium features for around $10 per unit.
The custom hardware relies on an ESP32-C6 microcontroller which natively supports Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Thread, and Bluetooth with a mmWave radar module. The design supports two popular sensor configurations: a 3-antenna radar module capable of 2D target tracking and zone detection, and a high-gain DF Robot board that trades spatial tracking for extreme sensitivity across extended ranges. To ensure smooth integration and room for expansion, the project incorporates I²C breakout headers for temperature and humidity sensors, power-smoothing capacitor pads to prevent ESP32 Wi-Fi brownouts, and seamless, zero-code integration with Home Assistant via ESPHome.
Bringing the project to life required overcoming several engineering hurdles, including a PCB routing fix for mismatched connectors and thermal management. The hardware is housed in a custom 3D-printed enclosure featuring a friction fit, a USB cable guide, and an adjustable ball-and-socket joint for precise positioning. All schematic files, STL models, and ESPHome configurations have been released open-source on GitHub for anyone to build at home.
Speaking about 2d tracking sensing, at what speed It can capture people fast moves? And what Is the frequency per second it sends data to the ESP?
And, It Is possibile to use two tracking sensors (X,Y) not disturbing esch other?
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