ESPectre is an open-source motion detection system designed for use with ESP32 devices. It operates by analyzing interferences in the Wi-Fi spectrum, enabling detection of movement without relying on cameras or microphones. This approach allows for through-wall detection, making it possible to sense motion in areas that are not visible to traditional visual sensors. The system is privacy-focused, as it only processes anonymous radio signal characteristics, aligning with GDPR-friendly principles.
The tool integrates natively with Home Assistant through ESPHome, offering a seamless addition to smart home setups. Configuration is streamlined by including ESPectre as a component in ESPHome YAML files, supporting various ESP32 variants including ESP32S3, C6, C5, C3, S2, and the classic ESP32. ESPectre uses a mathematical MVS algorithm with subcarrier band auto-calibration, eliminating the need for machine learning training and allowing it to work out of the box.
ESPectre features a dual-platform architecture. The production platform, implemented in C++, is tailored for Home Assistant users and provides a plug-and-play experience as an ESPHome component. For researchers and developers, there is a MicroPython-based R&D platform called Micro-ESPectre, which is suited for algorithm prototyping and data collection.
The project is fully open source and released under the GPLv3 license. ESPectre also offers a browser-based reaction game that demonstrates its motion detection capabilities, allowing users to connect their ESP32 device via Bluetooth and interact using body movements. This tool is intended for smart home enthusiasts, Home Assistant users, and researchers interested in privacy-preserving motion detection using Wi-Fi spectrum analysis.
In the Smart home & IoT space, ESPectre takes a focused approach. It focuses on detecting motion in smart homes using Wi-Fi signals without cameras or microphones. ESPectre is an open-source project aimed at smart home enthusiasts and developers. The project is open source (GPL-3.0). It runs on the web and the command line, and it can be self-hosted.
Francesco Pace builds and maintains ESPectre, and the product first shipped in 2025. The project is developed in the open on GitHub with 8.7k stars and 30 commits in the last 90 days. Among its 8 catalogued features are wi-Fi motion detection, ESPHome integration, and privacy-first.
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