To the average person, Wi-Fi is simply known as a technology used to play online video games, launch Netflix, connect their laptop to the Internet, or enable other common applications. While this mostly holds true today, the future of Wi-Fi is much more appealing with the advent of Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC). After significant progress in standardization, ISAC is inching closer to prime time.
ISAC enables Wi-Fi to not only connect devices, but also to sense movement, track activity, and enhance security—all without requiring additional infrastructure. By enabling Wi-Fi networks to perform sensing tasks alongside their primary communication functions, ISAC promises to revolutionize connectivity. From improved health monitoring to smart energy management, Wi-Fi ISAC is paving the way for a wave of new applications that will benefit both consumers and enterprises. While several ISAC Wi-Fi use cases already exist today, such as elderly health monitoring, home security, and smart home automation, ABI Research has identified several more that will disrupt telco business models for years to come.
What Is ISAC in Wi-Fi?
ISAC enhances existing communication technologies with sensing capabilities such as positioning and motion detection. ISAC uses the same resources—hardware, spectrum, and infrastructure—for both tasks, maximizing the value of these assets. This dual functionality opens the door to innovative business models and applications in sectors like healthcare, security, and smart homes.
The IEEE 802.11bf standard is at the heart of ISAC Wi-Fi development, introducing amendments to enable Wi-Fi networks to perform sensing tasks effectively. These changes, expected to be finalized by 2025, aim to make Wi-Fi sensing seamless, backward-compatible, and ready for widespread commercialization.
Table 1: ISAC Wi-Fi Use Cases and Their Monetization Likelihood
(Sources: IEEE, ABI Research)
|
Use Case |
Vertical |
Description |
Commercial Application |
Monetization Likelihood |
|
Emotional Reaction to Content |
Consumer |
Measure fluctuations in heartbeat to infer emotional response of viewers to content |
Identify consumer response and engagement level with video streaming or video game content. |
Low |
|
Gesture Recognition |
Consumer |
Finger movements for control of smart home appliances. |
Gesture recognition technology that doesn’t require Line of Sight (LOS) or light. |
Medium |
|
Audio Tracking |
Consumer |
Track people to target audio at them. |
Additional revenue stream or differentiator for smart speakers. |
Medium |
|
Breathing Monitoring |
Consumer |
Use CSI measurements to track chest displacement. |
Enhance healthcare services with vital sign monitoring. |
Medium |
|
Animal Health |
Consumer |
Track animal behavior |
Detect atypical animal behavior or abnormal heartbeat fluctuations. |
Medium |
|
Child Presence Detection (CPD) |
Consumer |
Alert vehicle owners that a child has been left in the vehicle. |
Vehicle manufacturers can implement to improve safety. |
High |
|
Hidden Object Detection |
Enterprise |
Reveal concealed objects on people. |
Low-cost, easy to implement method for building managers to enhance security. |
Low |
|
Sneeze Sensing |
Enterprise |
Detection of sneeze droplet volume. |
Localization of potentially infectious individuals within facility. |
Low |
|
People Identification |
Enterprise |
Determine a person's identity by recognizing features such as height or gait. |
Send customized notifications or distinguish whether an individual is known or unknown. |
Low |
|
3D Vision |
Enterprise |
Build a 3D matrix of an environment using multiple STA in a room. |
Map environment for site survey. |
Medium |
|
Smart Manufacturing |
Enterprise |
Wi-Fi sensing for localization, navigation, and authorization in industrial environments. |
Used for robotics localization and navigation, employee health oversight and authorization, and facility predictive maintenance. |
Medium |
|
Smart Meeting Rooms |
Enterprise |
Automate meeting room based on presence. |
Automatically turn on/off devices like lights or Air Conditioning (AC). |
Medium |
|
Driver Drowsiness Detection |
Enterprise |
Identify signs of drowsiness, such as low heart rate. |
Reduce likelihood of road accidents by building this security capability into vehicle. |
Medium |
|
People Counting |
Enterprise |
Non-invasive people counting in a room/floor/building. |
Building climate control, tracking of customer/guest numbers. |
High |
Regional and Industry Efforts Shaping ISAC Wi-Fi
Various telecommunications players demonstrate diverse approaches to ISAC commercialization, ranging from leveraging existing Wi-Fi infrastructure to developing dedicated sensing equipment.
- IEEE TGbf Contributions: The development of the 802.11bf standard is driven by global contributors. At the forefront of these efforts are Mainland China-based companies like Huawei, as well as multiple Chinese universities. Outside of China, Western brands such as LG Electronics, Ericsson, and Meta are also contributing to the ISAC Wi-Fi standardization process.
- Collaboration Through the WBA: The Wireless Broadband Alliance’s Wi-Fi Sensing Work Group supports testing methodologies and deployment guidelines. Members include U.S. firms such as Cisco, Comcast, and Origin Wireless, as well as Turkey’s Turk Telekom and India’s C-DOT.
- Commercialization Leaders:
- Origin Wireless (United States): A pioneer in Wi-Fi sensing, Origin Wireless has commercialized software solutions through partnerships with Verizon, Aloe Care, and Verisure. It is expanding its offerings, with plans to monetize CPD Wi-Fi sensing within the next 2 years, coupled with a 2025 rollout of a Single Point System (SPS) command module that centrally controls Internet of Things (IoT) home devices.
- Cognitive Systems (Canada): Known for its Wi-Fi Motion technology, Cognitive collaborates with Plume to deliver home security and automation services to over 100 ISPs worldwide.
- nami (Singapore): nami focuses on healthcare and security, working with partners like Alarm.com and Philips. The company’s strategic approach prioritizes equipment vendors and has resulted in over 100,000 devices shipped globally.
Learn how ISAC will be applied to 6G networks by reading our blog post, Assessing ISAC: How Sensing Will Meet Communication in 6G Networks
Comparing Current and Future Business Models for ISAC Wi-Fi
Current business models for ISAC Wi-Fi primarily rely on leveraging existing telco infrastructure and bundling services with broader value-added offerings. Many vendors, such as Origin Wireless and Cognitive Systems, partner with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to integrate sensing capabilities into subscription packages. This approach capitalizes on existing consumer equipment, minimizing additional costs while offering practical solutions in healthcare and security. Meanwhile, other companies like Singapore-based nami have pursued partnerships with equipment manufacturers to build dedicated sensing devices. Such alliances provide consumers with more reliable and specialized networking tools.
Looking forward, future business models are expected to explore a broader range of applications, such as commercial building management and smart meeting rooms. Many forward-looking applications will likely require dedicated equipment to achieve higher sensing precision. The introduction of Millimeter Wave (mmWave) Wi-Fi sensing could further reshape monetization strategies by offering enhanced granularity for specific tasks. However, these advanced applications face challenges in establishing clear value propositions and Return on Investment (ROI), especially in verticals where alternative connectivity technologies already exist. As the ISAC Wi-Fi market matures, vendors must identify untapped use cases, while balancing innovation with practical adoption paths.
For our analysts’ complete evaluation of ISAC for Wi-Fi and 6G, download the free whitepaper: ISAC Market Potential And Technology Evolution.
