So far in 2018, WifiForward has repeatedly taken a look at how the modern consumer turns to Wi-Fi to make their life easier. But what if in addition to making your life simpler, Wi-Fi could make it safer as well?

Researchers at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and the IT University of Copenhagen (ITU), recently compiled reports that underlined how Wi-Fi can be used to detect and deter illegal intrusions into the home.

Their findings which were highlighted in a recent article by Science Nordic titled, “How Your WiFi Can Protect Against Intruders,” explained how modern security systems can identify and track the movement of people within a building covered by a wireless network.

While here in the U.S., many homeowners have already grown accustomed to using Wi-Fi-enabled cameras to monitor both the interior and exterior of their homes, new applications that are currently under development by the aforementioned researchers, would create a whole new generation of security.

Unlike existing security monitoring applications that operate using cameras and infrared sensors to monitor motion and connect to an external base station using Wi-Fi, these new applications would be able to detect physical intrusion by humans in your home or workplace, using ONLY the radio frequency (RF) signals of your wireless network.

In some cases, this could even avoid the cost of having to physically mount traditional burglar alarm systems, such as the widely used Passive InfraRed (PIR) sensors, ultrasound sensors, door contacts, motion detectors, or glass break detectors.

There’s also the possibility of these new applications being able to “see” through walls. Certain radio frequency waves transmit through walls, which allows the detection of intruders in the next room or upstairs from one single unit.

These new developments prove that in 2018 and beyond, the sky truly is the limit as it pertains to Wi-Fi and it’s ever growing list of capabilities. Furthermore, as we continue to develop new technologies aimed at improving consumers’ everyday lives, count on Wi-Fi to remain a key part of the conversation.