TOMMY vs Philips Hue MotionAware
Compare TOMMY's Wi-Fi based motion detection with Philips Hue MotionAware's Zigbee-based motion detection. Technology, setup, and capabilities compared.
Philips Hue MotionAware and TOMMY both detect motion using Radio Frequency (RF) sensing, though they rely on different wireless technologies and target different smart home ecosystems.
MotionAware works within the Philips Hue ecosystem, analyzing how motion affects Zigbee signals between Hue lights. TOMMY uses ESP32 devices to monitor Wi-Fi Channel State Information (CSI) and integrates with Home Assistant or any Matter-compatible ecosystem.
| Aspect | TOMMY | Philips Hue MotionAware |
|---|
| Released | 17 August 2025 | 4 September 2025 |
| Technology | Wi-Fi sensing (Channel State Information) | Zigbee signal fluctuation analysis |
| Devices | ESP32-based devices (2 or more per zone) | Philips Hue lights (3-4 per motion area) |
| Protocol | Wi-Fi (802.11) | Zigbee |
| Signal Analysis | Measures fluctuations in Wi-Fi signals | Measures fluctuations in Zigbee signals |
| Aspect | TOMMY | Philips Hue MotionAware |
|---|
| Device count | Requires 2 or more ESP32 devices per zone | Requires 3-4 Philips Hue lights per zone |
| Device compatibility | Works with a wide range of ESP32-based devices | Works with compatible Hue lights |
| Device reuse | Can add sensing to existing ESP32 devices through ESPHome without losing prior functionality | Lights serve dual purpose (illumination + sensing) |
| Aspect | TOMMY | Philips Hue MotionAware |
|---|
| Hub requirement | No hub required, but needs to be installed as a Home Assistant App or Docker container | Requires Hue Bridge Pro (exclusive to this feature) |
| Ecosystem | Integrates with Home Assistant and Matter ecosystems | Integrates with Philips Hue ecosystem |
| Privacy | Runs locally, no cloud required, except for communication with the licensing server | Cloud-dependent (Hue ecosystem) |
| Aspect | TOMMY | Philips Hue MotionAware |
|---|
| Detection area | Sensing within the area covered by the ESP32 devices | Sensing within the area covered by the lights |
| Obstacle penetration | Can detect motion through obstacles and walls | Can detect motion through obstacles and walls |
| Motion filtering | Cannot differentiate between human movement and other moving objects (pets, curtains, fans, etc.). Human vs. non-human filtering planned for 2026 | Cannot differentiate between human movement and other moving objects (pets, curtains, fans, etc.) |
| Stationary presence sensing | Supported | Not supported |
| Aspect | TOMMY | Philips Hue MotionAware |
|---|
| Upfront cost | At least two ESP32 devices per zone, available at low cost | Requires Hue Bridge Pro purchase + 3-4 Hue lights per zone |
| License model | Free Trial Mode. Pro Edition available as one-time purchase | Included with Hue Bridge Pro (no subscription). Security alerts and event timeline require subscription |
| System type | Closed-source, proprietary system | Closed-source, proprietary system |
| Support | Community support through Discord channel | Support through Philips ecosystem |
- You want stationary presence sensing
- You want flexibility in how you define motion zones
- You have ESP32 devices lying around or want to start with cost-effective hardware
- You prefer local control through Home Assistant or need Matter ecosystem integration
- You don't have Philips Hue lights or the Hue Bridge Pro
- You already own Philips Hue lights and the Hue Bridge Pro
- Sensing is needed in areas where you're installing lights anyway
- You prefer managing motion zones through the Philips Hue app
