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…

March 5, 2026 – Dallas, TX – TI Expands Analog Portfolio Texas Instruments today announced the PGA460, a dedicated signal conditioning integrated circuit for pyroelectric infrared sensors. The new IC combines all the analog front-end components needed for PIR sensors…

March 8, 2026 – Tokyo – Breakthrough in Flexible Pyroelectric Sensors A research team at the University of Tokyo’s Institute of Industrial Science has demonstrated a flexible, thin-film PIR sensor that can be integrated into clothing, bandages, and wearable devices.…

March 10, 2026 – Wrocław, Poland – Panasonic Expands European Manufacturing Footprint Panasonic Corporation today officially opened its new €150 million PIR sensor manufacturing facility in Wrocław, Poland. The plant will produce high-sensitivity PIR sensors for the European building automation,…

March 12, 2026 – Brussels – EPBD Update Passes with Bipartisan Support The European Parliament has approved the latest update to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), mandating occupancy-based lighting and HVAC control in all new commercial buildings starting…

March 15, 2026 – Honeywell Expands Sensor Portfolio with Strategic Acquisition Honeywell International announced today the acquisition of SenxTech, a Silicon Valley-based startup specializing in AI-enhanced PIR sensors, for $450 million in cash. The deal is expected to close in…