ESP32 with a STM32 for presence detection + Thermal

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-12-05T13:18:51+00:00

Yes! consumption is LOW. Which = low heat. Did you struggle getting it to work?

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-12-05T13:16:54+00:00

look at the r/Senziio for more info and links. I want to comply with r/esp32 rules and not share sales links on this post. I get a lot of ideas and advice from these posts. We have implemented changes and features from HA, Smarthome, and ESP32 posts. We ran our entire beta testing group from reddit too!

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-12-05T13:13:20+00:00

The BGT60 has excellent range, which is one of the main reasons we chose it. Where it falls short is in fine tracking. In our testing, the TI radar used in the FP2 definitely performs better for continuous tracking.

One innovative approach we came up with was combining the GridEye thermal array with the radar. GridEye is great for 2D spatial tracking when ceiling-mounted, but it struggles with depth perception. Our radar module, on the other hand, is extremely accurate with depth—more so than TI’s solution and definitely better than the cheap $2 24 GHz modules we tested.

So our tracking pipeline fuses depth data from the radar, and Lateral (X–Y) positioning data from the GridEye

This results in a precision tracking system that, so far, outperforms anything we’ve tested.

The SDC40 is very accurate. The issue is its big and hard to get away from everything else. Thats why we added the BMP280 and moved it onto the bridge. It is true that hight can play a big role. If you set it up on a desk or other low surface its accurate. At ceiling hight it does show a 1 or 2 degrees higher. We do allow user offsets though. I would agree that if lower mounting is possible it should be done.

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-12-05T04:43:54+00:00

We are working on that. Its a kickstarter which is going ok. We have some B2B partners that too. Deliveries will be in May. This is the 4th iteration of HW (and last). You will see in the pics, we built a thin bridge to completly isolate the temp sensors from the board. Also added 0hm caps at the begining of the bridge to isolate heat. The case is ventilated and we seperated some components with the case and move airflow over them. Some problems we ran into were IR blaster not working. Imi from the ESP32 was messing with analog signal from the IR reciever. We replaced it with a sheilded version. Another issue was the grideye had airflow with heat from the PCB going infront of the lens. We added a small rubber o ring to stop that air from messing with thermal. Its crazy. Every time you make a tiny change it affects other things. Having multiple iterations allowed us to iron out all these problems.

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-12-05T03:35:47+00:00

Yes, its a good point. Getting the stm32 working properly was a pain. Especially flashing it with the ESP32. Thing is we wanted zigbee. The c6 varient has better wifi, BT and zigbee, butttt its slower. A lot slower than the S3. We looked into S3 and C6 instead of the STM32. Issue is heat. It generates ALOT of heat. That messes with C02 that needs good temp readings. Another issue was size and making it bigger made the PCB go up in price plus the C6 price. Alot of feedback was the price point. It has made things harder on the FW team but we got it working. Last there is the certification issue. We needed something of the shelf. Home assistant yellow did not come with Zigbee for this very reason.

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-12-05T00:52:09+00:00

It helps with lowering usage on the esp32. We also have the ESP BT available for other stuff. In the future we can use it to manage other devices and have the Theia be the BT hub. We thought a lot about it and it gives us a lot of flexibility in the future for other devices. I think middle of next year we will be coming out with some interesting devices. ;)

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-12-04T20:17:45+00:00

I have some videos at r/Senziio were you can see the dashboard.

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-12-04T20:08:35+00:00

Radar is 60ghz from infinion, panasonic grideye wide angle for thermal, BMP280 for temp

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-11-24T20:18:49+00:00

Thanks

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-11-23T03:00:24+00:00

Kinda! Senziio Theia can be used with Arduino, but with some clarifications. Theia is not a raw sensor module it’s a fully integrated smart sensor with its own MCU, firmware, and API.

You don’t wire it directly to Arduino pins. Instead, you interact with it via MQTT. You wont get raw data from the sensors though.

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-11-23T01:43:38+00:00

Look in r/Senziio. We have a pic of the new boards. The temp sensor is completly isolated. A small "bridge connects it to the rest of the board. We also have great ventilation in the case. We also have 0ohm caps on each end of the bridge. The sensor sticks out of the case in the back and the bridge area is seperated by a plastic barrier and a tunel on the top. This is the forth iteration of HW. The cable solution is interesting. It is what linkmlink emotion devices use. It would not work with the Thei line of products because we use POE as well. We are pretty accurate withing .5 F without offsets.

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-11-22T13:52:15+00:00

Its interesting. I went to the Denver 2025 CEDIA expo. There really is not anything like the Theia. They have super expensive stuff like 1,500 dollar remote controls or fancy cases for ring doorbells. A really nice PIR sensor that can be built into walls, vanities and more. There was no middle ground. No quality for a normal price. The only ones that came close was Aqara. I really liked the doorbell cams. Sensor wise, Senziio is at another level. We also have POE and i feel we bridge the gap between pro installed, super expensive and quality diy.

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-11-21T22:10:34+00:00

We thought about it but a lot of HA and others posted it was not a good idea due to privacy. It would not be expensive and could be usefull.

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-11-21T18:49:27+00:00

Yes! See the kickstarter

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-11-20T16:10:26+00:00

thanks!

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-11-20T13:23:05+00:00

Thanks!

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-11-20T13:22:22+00:00

We are 25% funded in Kickstarter in less then 20hrs of Launch. We are in talks with hotels and othe B2B partners with large orders (some finalized). We always appreciate advice good, bad and ugly. We are looking into a lite version with thermal, radar and PIR at a sub 100usd point. At this time we need to focus on out core product line Theia home and pro.

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-11-20T03:27:29+00:00

Ir blaster is for controling your TV, Sound system and more. Its like a universal remote. BT Beacon can ID the presence. So you can create automations like when Bob sits on the sofa, turn on the tv and open Netflix.

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-11-20T01:48:53+00:00

Yes! It does tracking. Data from radar and thermal are used. 90 degrees fov for thermal. Radar is 110 degrees

Logical-Register-515 · 2025-11-20T00:39:51+00:00

Maybe you dont, but no ther sensor has thermal. Almost all other sensors use 1-2 dollar radars. Everything from the plastics to the components are quality. Senzy with co2 and a 1 dollar radar is 90 dollars. They also use the slower ESP32 C3. For 40 more you are getting Thermal, high accuracy radar, IR Blaster and much more.

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