Comcast is turning your WiFi router into a basic home security system, for free

Comcast is introducing a new feature called WiFi Motion, which turns compatible Xfinity routers into a basic home security system without any additional cost. The feature detects movement inside a home using wireless signals between an Xfinity gateway and connected devices. Customers can choose between Home Watch, Away Watch, or Dark Watch modes through the Xfinity Internet app and receive notifications accordingly.

Comcast has been refining the system's accuracy over the past three years to ensure it can differentiate actual movement from normal fluctuations in a home's wireless environment. While WiFi Motion can detect movement, it cannot provide video footage or identify individuals, and it is not intended to replace a conventional security system.

Instead, it serves as a practical and cost-effective solution for basic home security. Comcast sells cameras and physical sensors through Xfinity Shield Select at $15 per month, but WiFi Motion provides a cost-effective alternative using existing equipment. Other companies, such as Linksys, Wiz, and Philips Hue, have also explored similar ideas in the past.

Comcast views WiFi Motion as a foundation for more advanced applications, including aiding people who age in place, but the company plans to continue expanding the feature's capabilities in the future.