Sensor pairs near-invisible aesthetics with sharply higher sensitivity, targeting smarter, cleaner motion detection in buildings and lighting systems.
Panasonic Industry unveils a new generation of passive infrared (PIR) motion sensing arriving with a clear message: performance no longer needs to come at the cost of design. A recently introduced flat-lens PIR sensor brings together a minimalist form factor and a major leap in detection sensitivity, aimed squarely at modern building automation, professional lighting control, and smart home deployments.
The key features are:
- Flat lens design with wide field of view (≈136° × 135°)
- Around 2× sensitivity improvement over earlier PIR generations
- ~416 detection zones for gap-free coverage
- Coverage up to ~15 m diameter at 3 m mounting height
- Multiple power variants with digital and analogue output options
At the heart of the product is a redesigned pyroelectric structure that delivers roughly twice the sensitivity of previous-generation PIR technologies. This enables the sensor to reliably detect very small movements including minor or seated motion across a wide area. For applications such as offices, hotels, schools, and public buildings, this means more accurate occupancy detection and fewer false negatives, even in large or open spaces.
Coverage is another key differentiator. With a field of view of over 136 degrees in both horizontal and vertical directions, the sensor can monitor a broad area from a single mounting point. At a ceiling height of around three metres, it can cover a circular area of roughly 15 metres in diameter. This wide detection footprint reduces the number of sensors required per room, simplifying system design and lowering installation effort.
The flat lens itself is designed to blend seamlessly into ceilings and luminaires, addressing a long-standing pain point for architects and lighting designers who prefer discreet, low-visual-impact hardware. Despite its slim appearance, the lens supports sealing options for higher ingress protection, making it suitable for both indoor commercial environments and more demanding installations.
From an electronics perspective, flexibility has been built in. Multiple current-consumption variants allow designers to optimize for ultra-low power or higher performance, while both digital and analogue output options make integration easier across different control architectures.
The sensor has been validated under standardised motion detection test methods, including tangential, radial, and minor movement scenarios, reinforcing its suitability for real-world occupancy sensing rather than simple motion triggers.By combining flat industrial design, high zone density, and significantly improved sensitivity, this new PIR sensor signals a shift in how motion detection components are expected to perform — quietly, accurately, and without drawing attention to themselves.
