An alternative to achieving building security, energy efficiency and comfort is using Wi-Fi sensing. This article takes a closer look.
Building security and automation integrates security and building management systems on a unified platform which can be pricey, complex to install and introduce cybersecurity issues. An alternative to achieving building security, energy efficiency and comfort is using Wi-Fi sensing. This article takes a closer look.
What is Wi-Fi sensing
Wi-Fi sensing works by way of analyzing changes in Wi-Fi signal patterns. Since Wi-Fi has all but become a commodity in the home or at an end user entity, Wi-Fi sensing can be used to detect and interpret human activity and movement without the need to buy or install additional sensors or cameras. This has led more people to consider using Wi-Fi sensing in security and non-security applications in various industries from healthcare to industrial monitoring.
How building security and automation can benefit
Building security and automation can also benefit from Wi-Fi sensing, which has certain advantages over building management systems.
“The current systems that exist are expensive and still lead to false alarms. Standalone cameras, CCTV, PIRs all have significant shortcomings while still costing an arm and a leg,” said Tony Nicolaidis, Chief Commercial Officer at Origin AI. “Building a system that already uses all the IoT devices in the building to create full security coverage is the way to automate and improve security. Wi-Fi sensing is the answer to that. Wi-Fi sensing does one thing: verifies human presence which is the key to understanding building occupancy. Using the Wi-Fi signal and all the devices online will create full coverage and eliminate false alarms.”
According to Nicolaidis, Wi-Fi sensing can fulfill security and non-security objectives in smart buildings. “Security-wise, Wi-Fi sensing uses the Wi-Fi signal along with all the devices in the building to create full coverage. From there, reducing false alarms makes it the most effective and efficient security system,” He said.
He adds that Wi-Fi sensing can go beyond security and improve a building’s energy efficiency and comfort level.
“In terms of energy efficiency – utilizing Wi-Fi sensing in smart light bulbs, for example, allows a building manager to maximize electrical efficiency. The lights will stay on when people are present and off when they’re not,” Nicolaidis said. “As for improved comfort – utilizing Wi-Fi sensing in a smart thermostat … keeps the building comfortable when people are there, and save energy costs when people are not.”
Limitations and future development
While Wi-Fi sensing has the aforementioned advantages, there are still drawbacks and limitations. For starters, Wi-Fi has longer wavelengths and lower frequencies; thereby Wi-Fi sensing may not be as precise and accurate as shorter-wavelength higher-frequency solutions such as millimeter radar when it comes to discerning complex movements/actions. Then, Wi-Fi sensing may be subject to signal interference as Wi-Fi signals can be disrupted by physical obstacles such as walls and furniture. Finally, Wi-Fi sensing can trigger privacy concerns as it can be used to deduce a certain person’s movement or behavior; this leads to privacy violations.
It should be noted, however, that certain efforts are being made to overcome those challenges. For example, according to a
report by the MIT Technology Review, the Wi-Fi 8 standard currently under development can allow Wi-Fi sensing to track not just a few people per router, but 10 to 20, making it ideal for crowded indoor spaces like airports. Also according to the report, a quaint Wi-Fi standard known as WiGig allows Wi-Fi devices to operate in the millimeter-wave range. If this standard is popularized it will boost Wi-Fi sensing’s accuracy significantly, allowing it to identify drowsy drivers or determining sneeze intensity.