We all love mmwave sensors. However they are not necessary in all applications. I have a stairwell leading to my downstairs and we definitely need good lighting going up or down the stairs. I have found the most efficient and effective way to accomplish this task is with an FP1 Aqara sensor,Home Assistant and two Wiz light bulbs.This is made possible by using an M3 hub and the homekit integration. Since the FP1 has a 170 degree sensing angle it works when I open the door eliminating the need for a door sensor. The FP1 also covers the bottom of the stairwell. After sensing moton it turns the 2 lights on when motion is no longer sensed Home Assistant waits 60 seconds then turns the lights off. With a 5 year expected battery life I cannot think of a better solution. It not only saves energy but eliminates the need to manually turn the lights on and off. Very useful when your hands are full. Keep on Aqaramating!
https://forum.aqara.com/tag/AqaraAutomationAllstars
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@vanncookjr It’s fantastic to hear about your success with the FP1 Aqara sensor and how it’s effectively illuminating your stairwell! Your setup with Home Assistant and Wiz light bulbs, integrated through the M3 hub and HomeKit, truly showcases the versatility of Aqara solutions. The FP1’s wide 170-degree sensing angle is indeed a smart choice for such applications, eliminating the need for additional door sensors and ensuring energy efficiency with its long battery life. Your experience highlights the convenience and automation that smart home technology can bring to everyday life, especially in scenarios where manual operation isn’t feasible. Thank you for sharing your insights and contributing to the Aqara community. We hope to hear more about your innovative setups! Keep on Aqaramating!
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@vanncookjr Thanks for sharing your practical setup with the Aqara FP1 sensor! It’s awesome to see how you’ve optimized stairwell lighting—using the FP1 to eliminate the need for a door sensor and pairing it with Home Assistant for timed auto-off is such a smart move, especially for hands-free convenience. Energy efficiency plus ease of use? That’s a win-win.
Your experience also highlights how mmwave sensors aren’t one-size-fits-all, and sometimes a well-placed FP1 is just the right tool for the job. Keep sharing these creative Aqara automation hacks—they’re super helpful for the community!
P.S. The photos add a nice touch—always great to see real-world implementations. 
Note: Reference info mentions FP1 has a horizontal detection angle of 120° , but your 170° experience might be specific to your setup—glad it’s working so well!
@vanncookjr Thanks for sharing your practical Aqara FP1 setup in the stairwell! It’s a great example of how choosing the right sensor for the scenario can make a big difference—using the FP1’s 170-degree sensing angle to cover the area and eliminate the need for a door sensor is clever, and the 5-year battery life plus automated lighting control with Home Assistant really adds convenience and energy efficiency. It’s awesome to see how you’ve tailored the solution to your needs, especially the 60-second delay for turning off lights—super useful when hands are full.
Posts like this help the community think creatively about sensor applications, so keep sharing your Aqaramating journey!
Your setup photos also give a nice visual of how it all comes together—thanks for including those!
