Smart-home specialist Aqara said Thursday it will expand its product line in the coming months with a new video doorbell, LED light strips, a sensor with artificial intelligence and a smart door lock that works with Home Key. All of the new devices will work with HomeKit and other smart-home systems.
Rather than showcasing new products at CES 2023 in Las Vegas, however, the company put out a video showing off the four items below as if it were at the show.
Aqara previews smart-home products for 2023
Aqara noted the upcoming product launches will make 2023 its biggest year so far for new releases. See below to find out what’s on tap in the coming months and watch the video.
Video Doorbell G4
Aqara called the new Video Doorbell G4 “complementary to Aqara’s indoor home cameras” for keeping an eye on things in a secure home.
The doorbell features local, AI-enabled facial recognition, which can trigger different automations depending on the person it recognizes.
G4’s flexible installation options let you use it with batteries or wired.
“It not only supports HomeKit Secure Video and local streaming to Amazon and Google smart displays, but it will also work with Matter after the Matter specification for cameras is ready,” Aqara noted.
The G4 also includes 7-day free cloud storage and optional local storage via a microSD card.
Presence Sensor FP2
Aqara called Presence Sensor FP2 “a revolutionary addition” to its sensor lineup. The new FP2 uses millimeter wave (mmWave) radar technology to detect human presence even when the person is sitting still.
The sensor also enables zone positioning, “which allows users to define different zones within a room such as the bed, the dresser or the sofa area, and the presence in each of these individual zone can trigger different automations for a more customized experience,” Aqara said.
The new sensor also features multi-person detection, fall-detection and a built-in light sensor.
Smart Lock U100
Smart Lock U100 marks Aqara’s first deadbolt lock offering for smart homes.
“The U100 lock is one of the few smart locks in the market that is compatible with HomeKit and supports the Home Key feature in Apple Wallet,” the company said.
But it’s certainly not limited to use with Home Key. Other access-authentication options include fingerprints, passwords, Aqara Home app, NFC cards and mechanical keys.
Based on the Zigbee protocol, the U100 supports Matter via a compatible Aqara hub, Aqara said.
LED Strip T1
LED Strip T1 is a multipurpose RGB CCT lightstrip any user can deploy to jazz up the lighting.
The strip produces up to 16 million colors. The white light is “tunable,” meaning you can tune to your taste in terms of its warmth, plus you can add gradient effects.
It supports HomeKit, Alexa and Google Home. It also works with Matter when you use a compatible Aqara hub, Aqara said.
Zigbee-based, the LED strip uses low power consumption isn’t a big burden on a Wi-Fi network, the company said. And it also serves as a repeater that enhances the Zigbee network.
The new devices will in the next few months, the company said. It did not include prices.
