What is the difference between nami Wi-Fi motion sensing and PIR Motion Sensors?
The nami system can detect motion in two complementary ways: Wi-Fi motion sensing, which uses your activity sensors, and a dedicated PIR Motion Sensor. The nami Alarm 15 kit includes both. This article explains what each one is, how they differ, and how they work together to protect your space.
What is Wi-Fi motion sensing?
Wi-Fi motion sensing is nami's signature technology. Your activity sensors—Alarm Pods, SensePlugs, and SensePods—continuously measure how their Wi-Fi signals are disturbed as people move through the space between them. Using Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), the system analyzes these disturbances to estimate the level of activity across an entire Area.
- Whole-area coverage: it senses presence and movement throughout the space between your activity sensors, not just in a single direction.
- No line of sight required: because it relies on radio signals rather than light or heat, it can detect motion even when a person is not in direct view of a device.
- Works as a team: at least two activity sensors in an Area, placed 10–30 feet apart, with the Thread border router within 30 feet of your Wi-Fi access point.
- Adjustable sensitivity: you can set Wi-Fi motion sensing to Low, Default, or High to balance detection against false alerts from pets or robot vacuums.
Note: Wi-Fi motion sensing is what powers the motion zones you see in the app. For more information about configuring it, see How do sensitivity levels for motion detection work? and A nami's activity sensors do not detect motion.
What is PIR Motion Sensor?
PIR stands for passive infrared. The PIR Motion Sensor is a dedicated, battery-powered device that detects motion by sensing changes in infrared (heat) energy within its field of view—the same proven technology used by traditional security motion detectors.
- Directional coverage: mount the PIR at least 5 ft above the floor. It detects motion up to 20 ft away within a 110° field of view, so aim it toward the area you want to protect (for example, an entryway or hallway).
- Battery powered: unlike the plugged-in activity sensors, the PIR runs on a battery and communicates over the Thread network, relying on nearby plugged-in devices to stay connected.
- Reduce false triggers: avoid pointing the PIR at heat sources or direct sunlight.
Key differences at a glance
|
|
Wi-Fi motion sensing |
PIR Motion Sensor |
|---|---|---|
|
Detection method |
Analyzes Wi-Fi signal disturbance between devices |
Senses infrared (heat) changes in its field of view |
|
Coverage |
The whole Area between your activity sensors |
A directional cone up to 20 ft, 110° field of view |
|
Devices involved |
Activity sensors working together |
A single, standalone sensor |
|
Power |
Plugged into a power outlet |
Battery powered |
|
Line of sight |
Not required |
Required (points at the detection area) |
|
Sensitivity control |
Adjustable (Low / Default / High) |
Triggers on motion detected in its field of view |
|
Common false triggers |
Pets, robot vacuums (use Low sensitivity) |
Heat sources, vents, direct sunlight |
How they work together
In the Alarm 15 kit, Wi-Fi motion sensing and the PIR Motion Sensor run at the same time and complement each other. Wi-Fi motion sensing provides broad, whole-Area awareness of movement, while the PIR adds a precise, directional check on a specific spot such as a doorway or corridor. When your system is armed, either one can trigger an alarm according to your alarm-trigger settings, giving you layered coverage that is more robust than either method alone.
Note: Both methods only trigger alarms while the system is armed. In Disarm mode, your devices continue to record activity without sounding an alarm.