New Matter-over-Thread presence sensor got certified from GL.iNet

Notable travel router maker GL.iNet saw a new product certified working with Matter and Thread recently, according to the Connectivity Standards Alliance database.

The product, with the brand Lafaer, initially leaked via a beta program last year, enriches the Matter ecosystem, as products in this category, especially Thread ones, are still hard to find. Aqara has one in the works, but it is still unavailable.

What is the Lafaer Wireless Human Presence Sensor LWR01?

From the product description, the Lafaer Wireless Human Presence Sensor LWR01 has a “3.5-meter presence detection range and 7-meter motion detection range,” meaning it has a combination of both PIR and radar inside. From its official website, we know it’s a 24 GHz millimeter radar, so the performance should be less ideal than a 60 GHz one, like in the Aqara FP2, in theory, but still way better than traditional motion sensors.

A highlight is that it’s battery-powered with an IPX3 water resistance rating (water spray ingress protection). So it would be perfect to be installed in a living space like a bathroom. And you won’t have to worry about finding a socket to power it and hide the cable, like most radar-based presence sensors on the market require.

Further digging in its compliance files, we found that the product supports firmware updates via Matter platforms, and it has a built-in illuminance sensor, so you will be able to create light-based automation. Also, files note it uses replaceable batteries instead of rechargeable built-in ones and will show battery level via Matter platforms.

As an important configuration, the device should provide options for delay time of occupancy clearing to reduce false triggering, according to the compliance files. But it may not be exposed to major Matter platforms.

When is it available?

As of now, the official website shows the Lafaer Wireless Human Presence Sensor LWR01 is “coming soon.”

GL.iNet has been expanding its business to smart homes for a while, from open-source OpenWRT-based routers to OpenThread border routers (OTBRs). The firm has introduced two OTBRs, GL-S200 and GL-S20, with Power over Ethernet (PoE) support.