Radio waves now monitor motion in the home

The Xandem smart home security system, a unique kit that uses radio waves to monitor movement in the home and allows users to track that movement online via an app, exceeded its fundraising goal on Indiegogo with a week left to go.

The technology was developed using funding from the National Science Foundation and the US Department of Homeland Security, according to the company. The basic package starts at $375 for a 10-node kit that can be plugged into outlets around the house. For $475, users also get cloud service.

Unlike laser security systems in all the greatest spy movies, radio waves can penetrate walls, making for a much more effective home-wide security system. Home security that monitors movement has so far mostly been implemented through the use of security cameras. Amazon’s best-selling devices for remote home monitoring, for example, are all security cameras. China suppliers have long been producing many different types of IP cameras, and some companies like Shenzhen Dinsafe and Honghui Electronic incorporate sensors for more extensive home monitoring. The technology used by Xandem is new, though, and much more inclusive in terms of security monitoring, which is the most important reason to consumers who want to adopt smart home technology.

Radio tomographic imaging technology is not a proprietary advantage for Xandem, though. Xandem is just one of the first companies to it in a consumer product and seek public funding. Since the technology was publicly funded, research on it is publicly available. It is probably just a matter of time before this technology starts getting packaged in products from China suppliers. Perhaps the biggest concern now is how it will interfere with Wi-Fi signals, since it uses the same 2.4GHz spectrum. Xandem says the frequency channels for the product can be changed and some home routers now also offer 5GHz options.