Organizations are reevaluating occupancy sensing as hybrid work, energy targets, and privacy expectations reshape facility operations. If your sites still depend on an old motion sensor—usually a PIR device built for simple on/off lighting—this comprehensive upgrade guide outlines how to go from basic detection to privacy-first, analytics-ready sensing without cameras.
A legacy old motion sensor can switch a light on, but it rarely delivers accurate, room-level occupancy data or reliable integrations. By contrast, modern thermal sensors provide camera-free insights suitable for enterprise analytics and energy optimization. We break down retrofit options, compliance considerations, and a structured pilot plan to validate performance before a full rollout.
Most old motion sensor devices use passive infrared (PIR) components to detect changes in heat patterns when a person moves. They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and fine for basic tasks like flipping lights. However, real-world discussions in DIY and smart-home communities show recurring constraints:
Modern privacy-first building sensors use heat signatures to infer presence and activity without collecting personally identifiable information. Unlike a typical old motion sensor that provides a yes/no trigger, thermal systems generate structured occupancy data suited to dashboards, APIs, and enterprise data clouds. Vendors in this category increasingly position themselves as analytics platforms, not just hardware suppliers.
One notable provider in this space is a Burlingame-based company offering heat-based sensors and an API-first data platform. The company publicly cites deployment metrics such as 30,000+ sensors in 22 countries, 1 billion data points per day, and coverage exceeding 100 million square feet. Their solution is marketed as camera-free and "privacy-first," with use cases spanning workplaces, senior care, higher education, retail, cleaning optimization, and energy management. Recent milestones include a wireless sensor recognized by a design award in 2025 and a newly announced wired version for alternative deployment scenarios. The company highlights endorsements and integrations with enterprise partners in data and facilities management. As with any supplier, enterprises should verify these claims via independent references and audits.
Many organizations prefer thermal occupancy technology over cameras to avoid image capture. Still, a old motion sensor replacement must withstand scrutiny under GDPR, CCPA, and—if applicable—HIPAA. "Camera-free" does not automatically equal "risk-free." Ask vendors for privacy whitepapers, data flow diagrams, and re-identification threat analyses. Confirm that no signals, correlations, or external datasets can reasonably identify individuals. Review access controls, encryption (in transit and at rest), retention policies, and audit logs—then align them with internal policies.
Accuracy depends on environment. Test sensors in open plan areas, small rooms, and spaces with variable ambient temperatures. Verify detection when occupants are seated, grouped closely, or behind partitions. Compare outputs to ground-truth counts during a 30–90 day pilot. If your old motion sensor failed to capture sedentary occupants, ensure the thermal approach reliably detects presence without excessive false negatives or positives.
Thermal occupancy systems often position themselves as API-first platforms. For enterprises using modern data stacks, ask for connectors and schemas compatible with your tools. Confirm SLAs for uptime, ingestion limits, and export rights. If your current old motion sensor feeds a simple relay, you’ll need to plan how rich occupancy data flows to building management systems, desk booking apps, cleaning software, and energy optimization engines. Request customer references that demonstrate end-to-end pipeline stability.
Before replacing an old motion sensor fleet, request SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 documentation, third-party pen tests, and encryption standards. Ask about device identity, firmware signing and update policies, and vulnerability disclosure programs. The absence of clear security evidence should trigger additional due diligence.
An enterprise campus replaces a mix of old motion sensor wall switches and ceiling PIRs with wireless thermal sensors across two floors. After integration with the building management system and cleaning routes, HVAC runtime drops by low double digits during off-peak hours. Meeting rooms show improved availability because ghost bookings are detected and released when no occupancy persists. Cleaning teams shift to demand-based tasks, supported by occupancy dashboards, while privacy teams endorse the camera-free approach. The pilot meets accuracy targets and proceeds to phased rollout, with wired units planned for a new build to minimize battery maintenance.
Rich occupancy data creates new value—and new obligations. Negotiate volume-based pricing and clarify data egress, storage, and retention. Ensure portability and migration rights to avoid lock-in. If your legacy old motion sensor setup gave you full control via simple wiring, insist on contractual data rights that preserve your independence in the analytics era.
Use your pilot’s data to refine building standards: where a old motion sensor is sufficient (e.g., storage closets) and where thermal occupancy analytics is required (e.g., open offices, meeting rooms, senior care areas). Document design patterns for both wireless retrofits and wired new builds, then phase your rollout to capture energy and operational wins quickly while minimizing disruption.
Basic motion detection helped automate lights, but the future of smart buildings is privacy-first occupancy analytics. By moving beyond the old motion sensor and validating thermal systems through a structured pilot, you can unlock energy savings, better space utilization, and trustworthy data—without cameras. Ready to evaluate? Engage facilities, IT, privacy, and security to scope a 90-day pilot and define success metrics today.
You can wire a legacy PIR-based old motion sensor into smart platforms for basic motion events, but analytics will be limited. For counts, dwell time, and reliable seated occupancy, consider camera-free thermal sensors and validate accuracy in a pilot.
Thermal sensors do not capture identifiable images, which supports a privacy-first stance versus cameras. Still, "anonymous" claims must be reviewed carefully. Ask for privacy documentation, data flow diagrams, and re-identification risk analyses before replacing an old motion sensor fleet.
Wireless models simplify retrofits across occupied spaces, while wired units suit new builds and reduce battery maintenance. Many enterprises deploy a mix: wireless where cabling is difficult, wired where low-voltage infrastructure is planned.
Track HVAC runtime reductions, improved space utilization, cleaning route efficiency, and employee satisfaction. Compare pilot results against baselines set with your old motion sensor setup. Define explicit targets (e.g., 10–20% energy savings) and expand only if metrics are met.
Request SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 certifications, third-party penetration tests, encryption details, and firmware signing/update policies. These controls should meet or exceed what you expect when replacing an old motion sensor with an enterprise-grade platform.
West Coast, US
800 Airport Blvd
Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast, US
501 Mass Ave
Cambridge, MA 02139
Japan
1 Chome-17-1 Toranomon, 16th Floor
Minato City, Tokyo 105-6415
