March 15, 2026 – Beaverton, OR – Matter 1.5 Specification Released The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has released Matter 1.5, the latest version of the smart home interoperability standard. This release includes significant enhancements for occupancy sensing, adding standardized configuration…

March 18, 2026 – Tokyo, Japan – Sony Miniaturizes PIR Technology Sony Semiconductor Solutions has announced the development of an ultra-compact PIR sensor measuring just 2mm × 2mm × 0.8mm, designed for integration into smartphones, wearables, and hearables. The new…

March 20, 2026 – Rueil-Malmaison, France – Schneider Expands Energy-Harvesting Portfolio Schneider Electric has announced the SpaceLogic Wireless Energy-Harvesting PIR Sensor, a battery-free occupancy sensor powered entirely by indoor ambient light. The sensor is designed for commercial building automation, eliminating…

March 25, 2026 – New Market Research Projects Strong Growth for PIR Sensors Allied Market Research has released a comprehensive report on the global PIR sensor market, projecting robust growth through 2030. The report cites automotive safety mandates, smart home…

March 28, 2026 – Seattle, WA – Amazon Opens Sidewalk to Third-Party Sensor Makers Amazon has announced that third-party manufacturers can now integrate their PIR motion sensors with the Sidewalk network, a low-bandwidth, long-range wireless network that uses a portion…

March 10, 2026 – Sacramento, CA – California Tightens Building Energy Standards The California Energy Commission (CEC) has adopted updated Title 24 building energy standards that significantly expand requirements for occupancy sensors in commercial buildings. The new standards, effective January…

March 15, 2026 – Cambridge, MA – Graphene Enables Ultra-Sensitive Infrared Detection A research team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has demonstrated a graphene-based pyroelectric sensor with sensitivity approximately 100 times higher than conventional lithium tantalate or PZT-based…

March 18, 2026 – Älmhult, Sweden – IKEA Expands Smart Home Portfolio IKEA has announced the VALLHORN OUTDOOR, a weatherproof PIR motion sensor designed for exterior lighting control. The new sensor expands the company’s smart home ecosystem, which already includes…

March 22, 2026 – Washington, DC – DOE Targets Building Sensor Innovation The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $50 million in funding for smart sensor research through its Building Technologies Office (BTO). The funding, part of the Advanced…

March 25, 2026 – Cupertino, CA – Apple Explores PIR for AR/VR Input A patent application published by the US Patent and Trademark Office reveals Apple is exploring the use of PIR sensor arrays for gesture recognition in its Vision…