BEST Smart Home Sensor Ever? Aqara FP2

The Aqara FP2 Presence Sensor is my new favorite smart home sensor. Using mmWave, the FP2 knows when you are in the room. It can tell when multiple people are in the room. You can also use it to automate your smart home. You can even create up to 30 zones within a room to trigger Alexa Routines, HomeKit and Google automations. The FP2 also can be used for fall protection to look out for you or a loved on. If a fall is detected an alert can be sent to family members. The FP2 can also save you money by saving electricity. Check it out and try a new way to automate your smart home.
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:32 Aqara FP2 Hardware
02:28 Setup & Using
04:06 Different Modes (People Detection)
06:30 Safety & Fall Detection
07:29 Multiple Zones & Triggers
08:10 Experience Using FP2
#AqaraFP2 #Aqara #FP2 #Smart Home #CraigsTechTalk

[@CraigsTechTalk]

🔴 Next Check out this video- The Aqara G4 is a MUST SEE Video Doorbell! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYHIlohtort5hZI

[@eugsmiley]

Not $83 worth of impressive.

[@sliderALT]

I just read that this thing can check light levels too. I need that. I want to set up some automations so that when it's morning time, but cloudy, the kitchen lights will come on. This thing does everything. The multiple zones with one sensor alone and presence detection made it a must-buy! This thing fixes the one area that I felt lacked in smart homes. It takes away a lot of the guesswork of trying to predict what people in your home will do--trying to make sure lights don't stay on too long or off for too long. Can't wait to grab one, two, or three of these, depending on the price!

[@Dr_Cole]

Just when I finished putting motion sensors everywhere! Alas, some of the rooms will still make sense for Motion, but presence sensors are what many of of us thought about from day 1 of SmartHome building, even if we didn’t know the difference between those sensors and motion sensors. Great video, Craig. Thanks for keeping us current.

[@theattorney6072]

Yes but is this a presence sensor ? If you stay sitting in a room without Moving will you be detected ?

[@Polkster13]

@@theattorney6072 Yes

[@johnsimpson9753]

Hi Craig your video was one of the best about this product

[@ronm6585]

Thanks Craig.

[@user-tp8xk9xh3h]

Thanks!

[@MNpale]

Let's be honest. At 82 bucks, we're not worried about saving money on electricity. We just want it.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That is awesome. Good point.

[@NoLittlePink]

This thing retails in China for around $30

[@theattorney6072]

​@@NoLittlePinklink ?

[@chaskinsnc]

I see great things for my garage with this sensor

[@iGageit]

Great explanation video! I can think of 100 ways I could automate my home with this! :)

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you. It is pretty cool. Especially for a larger room with different areas.

[@Atum_Ra]

I've bought so many sensors & smart switches lately (including this one) Its going to take a decade of them "saving me money" just to recoup the cost lol Nice review 👍🏻

[@BryanEsler]

Was excited to get this setup. Got it yesterday, set it up, and it couldn't detect my room edges (auto configuration failed). Moved it to the horizontal wall instead of vertical, and had better luck. But still, it was only recognizing me 25-50% of the time. And it was SLOW in the dark. This morning I walked right in front of it numerous times, and it didn't detect me. I'm on a Discord where a few people are having similar issues. I've also had it where it detects me, and then jumps me all over the room without me moving from my current spot. Hopefully it gets fixed, otherwise this will definitely be getting returned. Impressed with the potential, but not the setup process or how it actually works.

[@theattorney6072]

Hi, still having issues with the fp2 ?

[@BryanEsler]

@@theattorney6072 firmware updates really, really helped. Very reliable now.

[@afpitbull60]

Great stuff! I can't wait to get mine.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thanks Wayne. It is a really cool sensor. Let us know what you think of it when you get it.

[@afpitbull60]

@@CraigsTechTalk I certainly will! Question: What brand of lights are you using?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I am using Nanoleaf essentials in my living room(beginning of video), my office and garage. For my color lights in my studio I use LIFX and have some Philip hue in other rooms.

[@afpitbull60]

@@CraigsTechTalk Thanks much, Craig. Appreciate the info. I'll use my LIFX lights and see what happens.

[@vinhennessy3885]

Sounds good! Presence sensing is heading in the right direction for home automation. Since I don’t have Aqara in my environment, I’ll wait to see what other tech companies will be putting out. Give me 4 months. Presently, I have 9 motion sensors throughout my home. I think I can reduce that number to 4, I’m excited.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

It is cool seeing new sensor like this come out. Especially with how accurate it is. I am with you and excited too. Have a great weekend Vin.

[@charlesromney]

Just FYI , it’s wifi and don’t requires the hub.

[@JoshFisher567]

​@@charlesromney FYI, it also requires an active internet connection to work. When another reviewer blocked internet access to the FP2 it stopped working completely. I wish Aqara would be more open about what data they collect. I have no problem with sending data to a company to help them improve said product but if they aren't transparent about the data they collect then it muddies the water. It shouldn't need an active internet connection though. If it was to send data to make the product better, it could store the data locally and send it when the internet connection is available.

[@Chaybee12]

Hi Craig! can you use this with any brand of light? I have Philips Hue.

[@David-bl1bt]

If it works as good as it claims it will be a great addition to a smart hom e. The lack of battery operation is disappointing as it means an ugly wire trailing from it, not a good look on your wall and definitely a big problem when ceiling mounted.

[@ScottCulberson]

So do you have to use Apple Home kit and have an ipad, home pod mini or other hub device from apple in order to the Aqara FP2 to work with Amazon Alexa?

[@Darkurge666]

Does it log the sensor data somewhere? Because I'm not really comfortable with the level of detail of tracking getting into the hands of someone other than me.

[@YaKyLLaN]

Hello. Thanks for the video. Is there any way I can link and use this FP2 with Mi Home app? Do I need an aqara gateway or xiaomi gateway 2 is enough?

[@ometofu]

Other must coming out something similar soon. This also sold out

[@ScooptheGawdd]

For what the sensor actually does, it’s amazing. The only thing thats kind of bugging me out is why can’t I have it HomeKit to TURN OFF the lights IF it doesn’t detection motion in a specific zone for 2 mins (or any other time interval)? I’ve tried shortcuts as well. Has anyone else been success with this?

[@stormrrt5998]

Thanks for letting us know about this. I havent bought any new smart home stuff in a couple years because there just hasnt been anything really new and helpful yet. Until now lol. Have you checked how in depth the leaving the room routines can get. Say as example when leaning a room just dim a light instead of turn off. Or something like leaving the living room can it pause the tv like watching nrtflix or prime instead of turning it off? That would be great if it could do that.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Hello Stormr, it is good to see something new like this. I have found that once I leave a room or a zone, it triggers within 30 seconds, if not quicker like I showed in the beginning. As for what it controls, that would be limited by your smart assistant. For example, with Alexa you could use the presence detection like you are saying to control a Fire TV within routines. But within Apple's home app you don't have the same Apple TV automations available. Echo users can trigger pretty much anything using the Alexa custom command. Thanks for checking out the video. I hope you are doing well.

[@stormrrt5998]

@Craig's Tech Talk thanks. Since im still an echo user this helps.

[@Polkster13]

Since it doesn't come with a wall wart for the USB power cable, what did you end up using to power this with?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I grabbed one of the old 5w USB A bricks that used to come with iPhones. With everything changing to USB C, I have a lot of USB A bricks becoming available

[@ScottCulberson]

How about a follow up video on the Aqara FP2 and and update on why you cant' buy it a month after your video

[@CraigsTechTalk]

It is so popular. I wish I knew more about availability. I hope it picks up for Prime Day. Thanks for watching.

[@wagnerfontes2]

Would it be possible to program so many zones in a DIY mm wave sensor connected to an ESP32 and HA?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That is a great question. I would think so much R&D went into making this and the algorithms to read the sensor data. I would impressed to see an ESP32 and censored programmed up. I know I couldn't do it.

[@AndNowThis..]

My mom likes to sleep with a light on but I dim the light very low once I know she’s asleep, once it knows she’s asleep will it dim the light to the settings I set?

[@anthonybonair8842]

been waiting for somthing like this and it's sold out on amazon already :(

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Good morning Anthony. It is a great sensor and opens up some cool automations. I have heard that they have been going quick. The G4 Doorbell was the same way. From what I am hearing, there should be a bigger inventory in the next couple of weeks.

[@crinice_ting1510]

The light have to be with smart switch then only can use FP2?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

No you can use other bulbs, plugs and switches. The FP2 would trigger an automation in Alexa, Google or HomeKit

[@sparkysteele]

my new aqara m2 hub stops at 80 when updating t

[@MadMike78]

You think this would help keeping the light on while taking a shower?

[@estusflask982]

Exactly what I'm getting one for.

[@jamesnichols9592]

Can I have more than one device in the home? My house isn't open.

[@frankraym]

Iv been having mine since beta . And since latest update I actually found mine to be less accurate....need to maybe reset mine

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That is interesting. I just started using it. At times I wish it was a little slower and less accurate. I have found that I barely cross out of a zone and it is all over triggering an automation. How has it changed for you?

[@frankraym]

@@CraigsTechTalk initially in the beta phase i kept getting "ghosts" so it would showcase me but then I'd see 3 other people In the room. The update before the last one was very good and since I update it seems to freeze and will lose track of me while I'm sitting on the couch ....

[@frankraym]

@@CraigsTechTalk nevertheless I am very humbled to have been able to test the product before general release and being able to provide feedback to improve it for you guys 😃. I'm looking forward till it works with home assistant

[@taylorrichard663]

outdoor use water proof ?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Hello Richard, it is not waterproof or rated for outdoor use. Thanks for watching the video. Have a great day.

[@ScarpaProperties]

If it can only detect up to 5 people how does it prioritize people & zones?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

It would be the last to leave a room or whatever zone is most recently triggered. If a zone detects occupancy it would not trigger anything if a different zone was entered by someone else. That zone would then trigger its own automation.

[@davidbeiler6364]

its called mmwave, if it could detect between male and female, it would be perfect

[@paarker]

The fall detection can be real handy for those who took the clot shot. You can have it call an ambulance.

[@marcussassi8054]

Is it possible to make an automation to wake up an iPad if I get close to the iPad

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I haven’t made an automation for it. But I have seen on Shane Whatley’s channel that he uses a sensor to trigger a notification that essentially wakes the iPad. I believe he talks about it in his using an iPad as a dashboard video.

[@marcussassi8054]

@@CraigsTechTalk thank you so much for getting back to me, I appreciate it. Wishing you a great day.

[@randykirstuk8978]

Can you tell me how to set up through Alexa ? I don’t use HomeKit.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

You would set it up in the Aqara app and the download the Aqara skill for the Alexa app. Sign in with your Aqara account and then they are linked.

[@randykirstuk8978]

@@CraigsTechTalk that sounds very easy then. Thank you I saw a comment on security issues being it’s wifi and from China. Any concerns ?

[@estusflask982]

Can you put this in a lampshade?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

In a lamp shade, I believe the mmWave signal would be obstructed

[@enhompe2]

Smarthings too?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

No it does not. Which was surprising. But Home Assistant was an option.

[@MikeBirdman]

weird; the link takes you to it but says it's currently unavailable so they must've sold out fast.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

They did sell out fast. A lot of big channels released videos on them. They are supposed to be in stock soon.

[@MikeBirdman]

@@CraigsTechTalk thank you :) yea I did see at least 4 different videos on them the same day; no wonder they sold out faster than toilet paper during the pandemic lol

[@moniquem783]

I can't find any pricing info. Your link says currently unavailable for me. So, would it be cheaper to buy one of these for each main room in my next house rather than an assortment of other sensors to do the same jobs? I've only got a couple of temperature sensors because I knew I would be moving soon and figured I would wait for the next house to go nuts with sensors. It's exciting. I'm definitely going to get one or two. The question is whether I "need" 4 or 5 😂😂

[@JoshFisher567]

In the US they were available on Amazon although probably sold out but roughly 90 dollars for one.

[@eugsmiley]

$83.

[@JoshFisher567]

​@@eugsmiley I couldn't remember the exact price when it was available on Amazon yesterday but that's the exact price before tax, at least in the US.

[@moniquem783]

So about AUD$124. Probably round it up to $150 because everything is more expensive here. That’s quite doable. Especially if it’s the only sensor needed in each room. Thanks!

[@moniquem783]

Ahhh. Australian release isn’t until next quarter. Well I don’t have a house yet so that’s fine.

[@lthomas63]

👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️

[@TornadoBarrage]

Mine has trouble detecting more than one person

[@kernalrom]

They are not available anywhere

[@Jensen871]

So you don't need a hub at all for automations? Even for Alexa?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

No hub needed at all. Even with Alexa. Like their cameras, they are WiFi and connect directly to your network. It is really cool that it doesn't need one can do what it does.

[@Jensen871]

@@CraigsTechTalk that's amazing. Thanks for making your video it was very informative. I will be picking one of these up.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you Jensen. I am glad you enjoyed it. It really is impressive that you can create all the different zones. Response time is crazy fast too. Let us know if you get one and enjoy it.

[@Jensen871]

@@CraigsTechTalkWill do. There is so much potential with the zones it's really impressive.

[@JoshFisher567]

​@@Jensen871 it does require an active internet connection though to function at all. Another reviewer blocked internet access to the FP2 and it just stopped working. I'm not sure how Aqara will handle this when they add the Matter update as Matter requires devices to function over LAN but as of now, it appears to require an active internet connection. I would like confirmation if possible to test and verify because that's all based on one review and reviews on the FP2 are pretty limited at the moment. The other reviewer blocked internet access and it quit reporting to HomeKit which is also odd because Apple says HomeKit compatible devices must work over LAN only also, at least that's what other people have said as I don't personally use HomeKit.

[@fbr4801]

Anyone tested this sensor through a window, to detect outside motion / presence for example ? I’ve been doing this for a few years now with my Aqara camera, but at night when the camera sees glare from headlights it triggers a false alarm 🤔

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I have not tested it. I don’t think the mmWave will work through windows. I would look more into mmWave and use through windows.

[@vctgeek]

3:23 you hide QR code on the sensor, but not on the phone 😅

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I thought about blurring on the screen too. But the quality looked messed up enough not to worry about it. But if you can scan that QR code and take over my presence sensor, please let me know. 🤣

[@jessejames3944]

The FP2 not available on Amazon…. Really? Maybe they sold out…

[@CraigsTechTalk]

They are really popular and all the content creators released their videos at the same time. They are supposed to be in stock soon.

[@theattorney6072]

Hi, how can this ignore pets and robots ?

[@estusflask982]

yes

[@theattorney6072]

​@@estusflask982No

[@kentswanson2807]

More invasive than impressive. Presure aqara to fix before buying

[@ometofu]

FBI btw now can tell how many of u in the house

[@estusflask982]

nope

[@Take5Instead4]

As far as i read, it is NOT working without Cloud/Internet Connection right now. I do not want Xi JinPing to know where I am in my house...;)

[@bobgodd]

Yea I don't think it's quite working woth home assistant yet... At least not directly.

[@JoshFisher567]

It works with Home Assistant if you use the HomeKit Integration but yes, if you block internet access to the FP2 it stops working and reporting to Home Assistant so it requires an active internet connection to even work. You can set up zones in the Aqara app and if you add or adjust zones it automatically updates the entities in Home Assistant and works even after removing the Aqara app from your phone but if you block internet access it doesn't work at all.

[@JoshFisher567]

This is my understanding also based on probably the same review or reddit thread it was posted in. I don't mind sending data to make a product better but an active internet connection should never be required. It could store data locally and send it later, or not at all as I haven't seen any statement by Aqara about what data this device is sending and I've looked which typically means it's sending more information than it needs to improve the product. Also, Matter has to work over LAN only so this won't be allowed whenever they update it to Matter/Thread but who knows when presence detectors will even be added as supported Matter devices. Right now it's light bulbs, simple switches and a few other things as they are rolling Matter out in phases by device type.

[@estusflask982]

It says it works without internet.

[@bobgodd]

@@estusflask982 except it doesn't unfortunately. Another reviewer turned off the internet and it stopped working.

[@eldkir]

Unavailable?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Good morning Eldad, I hope you are doing well. This sensor had been so popular, Aqara can’t seem to keep up. The doorbell is finally back in stock.

[@eldkir]

@@CraigsTechTalk that's a beautiful problem to have as a business. I'm looking forward to trying this sensor as soon as it's replenished. Thank you for the great, informative video as always.

[@2377shortie]

Returned mine. To much ghosting. Either two many ghosts or wouldn't pick one of us up. Would even puck up my 7 year old.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Sorry to hear you had ghosting. Can’t blame you for returning it. They have done some firmware updates that have helped. But I think in certain environments it will still be an issue. Thanks for sharing your experience

[@2377shortie]

@CraigsTechTalk I will be picking up the Aqara p1 on black Friday and see if that works instead. Fp2 is a great idea and I'm sure at some point I will try it again

[@hoihoi9866]

Good for office building, don't need this at home.

[@scs32]

2 meters on the ceiling....the maths doesn't add up there. I thought that it was 120 degrees.... Wanna check that?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you Stephen. My apologies, Aqara has it listed as a 2m radius, not diameter. That would be approximately 4 meters of coverage. I believe the numbers Aqara shared also factor in the working area for fall detection. Not the total area the sensor can coverage. Hopefully that makes sense. Thank you for the clarification and for watching.

[@scs32]

@@CraigsTechTalk, that makes much more sense. I also suspect that their calculations were based on 8' ceilings. I would expect a little more with 9'+. That two meter difference makes a HUGE difference. :)

[@Felipe-ij2lu]

the main issue with this device is that it phones back to china. Why? why a motion sensor needs to call to china and send who knows what info after being on my network? i want full privacy and specially for this price

[@jemfalor]

oh my. now they will know when i turn own my bathroom lights

[@voicixs]

why are you promoting a product that no one can buy anywhere?

[@frankraym]

It will come up everywhere soon. I had the chance to try it out since November when it was in beta

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I am promoting it because inventory comes and go. It was in stock yesterday and if it is not in stock today, it will be soon. I don't think Aqara was ready for such demand for this.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Hello thatdude, I am surprised how quick people have been buying them up since they released the other day.

[@frankraym]

@@CraigsTechTalk I have been very grateful to been in there beta and helping making this product better for everyone 😁 . I can tell you it will be matter compatible soon as well

[@estusflask982]

He promoted it so good it sold out