The world of smart home automation just got a little smarter and more perceptive. Shelly, a brand renowned for its robust and user-friendly IoT devices, has officially launched its latest innovation in the United States: the Shelly BLU Distance Sensor. This compact, ultrasonic sensor is designed to bring a new level of spatial awareness to your home, garage, or even small business, all at an accessible price point.
The device first turned heads at the global tech showcase IFA 2025 in September, hinting at its future potential. After generating buzz on the international stage, it quietly appeared on Shelly’s website in mid-October, and is now fully available for American consumers to purchase and integrate into their smart ecosystems.
From Driveways to Water Tanks: The Practical Power of Distance Sensing
At its core, the Shelly BLU Distance is a Bluetooth ultrasonic sensor that accurately measures the distance between two surfaces, including liquids. This might sound technical, but its applications are incredibly practical for everyday life. Imagine never having to second-guess whether you closed the garage door or if a family member has taken the car. By mounting the sensor on the ceiling of your garage, you can set it up to notify you the moment your parking space is occupied or becomes vacant.
But the utility doesn't stop at the driveway. Homeowners with water tanks or sump pumps can use the BLU Distance to monitor fluid levels, providing peace of mind and preventing potential overflows or shortages. For small business owners or even organized homeowners, the sensor can be pointed at shelves or storage bins to keep a digital eye on inventory levels, alerting you when it's time to reorder supplies.
Shelly has engineered the device to be both versatile and precise. It supports measuring distances from a subtle 0.25 meters all the way up to 5 meters (approximately 0.8 to 16.4 feet). For distances under 2 meters, it boasts impressive millimeter-level accuracy. With seven different measurement range types and adjustable intervals from as frequent as every five seconds to a more battery-conscious 300 seconds, users can fine-tune the sensor to their exact needs.
Built to Last and Stay Accurate
Understanding that real-world conditions are rarely perfect, Shelly has built intelligent features into the BLU Distance to ensure reliability. One of the standout technical aspects is its built-in temperature compensation. This means the sensor automatically adjusts its readings to maintain precision across a wide temperature range, from a chilly -20 °C to a sweltering 40 °C (-5 to 105 °F), making it suitable for unheated garages or outdoor installations in various climates.
Powering the device is a readily available ER14505 battery, and its sleek casing measures a compact 117.9 x 35.3 mm (approx. 4.6 x 1.4 inches), allowing for discreet placement almost anywhere.
On the connectivity front, the sensor currently operates on the power-efficient Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0, allowing for easy setup and direct communication with your smartphone via the Shelly Smart Control app. In a move that significantly expands its compatibility, Shelly has announced that Zigbee support will be added in an upcoming firmware update, paving the way for seamless integration with major smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings.
For those ready to add this new layer of automation to their lives, you can find more detailed specifications and make a purchase directly at the official Shelly online store. The Shelly BLU Distance sensor is priced at $31.49. The company also notes that orders are shipping from within the US, and customers who spend over $50 are eligible for free shipping.
Looking ahead, Shelly has confirmed that a European release is on the horizon, where the sensor is expected to retail for €29.63. For DIY enthusiasts, homeowners looking for clever solutions, and small business operators, the Shelly BLU Distance sensor represents a significant step forward in making advanced, affordable monitoring a standard part of our connected lives.
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