Tokyo — Asahi Kasei Microdevices has begun mass production of the AK5816AIM, a compact millimeter-wave radar module designed to detect falls, vital signs, posture, movement and location without using cameras or wearable devices.
Mass production began in July 2026. The module is intended for privacy-conscious monitoring applications in homes, senior living facilities and other indoor environments.
The AK5816AIM uses millimeter-wave radar to detect a person’s presence, movement and breathing. Unlike camera-based systems, it can be used in private areas such as bedrooms and bathrooms without capturing images.
The module is built around AKM’s AK5816 millimeter-wave radar transceiver integrated circuit. Its multi-channel sensing and angular-resolution capabilities enable the detection of position, motion, breathing, posture and other changes involving people and pets.
The AK5816AIM combines the transceiver and a four-input, four-output antenna array in a 23-millimeter-by-23-millimeter package. By integrating the antenna into the module, AKM said the product eliminates the need for customers to undertake their own radio-frequency antenna design.
The company said this could shorten product-development timelines and allow teams without specialized radio-frequency engineering expertise to develop monitoring systems.
The module is aimed at residential equipment, internet-connected monitoring devices and age-technology applications. AKM has already introduced services using the AK5816AIM for non-contact monitoring in bathrooms and living spaces at Hebel Village, a senior housing development operated by Asahi Kasei Homes.
“With the start of mass production of the AK5816AIM, camera-less sensing technologies are entering a new phase, enabling wider deployment in everyday living environments,” said Gregg Rouse, President of AKM’s United States business unit. “We hope to expand the adoption of these and other privacy-conscious monitoring solutions by collaborating with partners known for their expertise across key technologies. The response to the AK5816AIM at CES® 2026 in Las Vegas was very encouraging, and we intend to maintain that momentum.”
AKM is working with software and hardware companies to support monitoring systems based on the module. Its partners include Aizip, Algorized, Sigma0 and Nisshinbo Micro Devices.
The collaborations provide capabilities in artificial intelligence detection, radar signal processing, development tools and mass-producible 60-gigahertz sensor modules. AKM said it plans to support customers through application development and mass-production design.
