A system and method for automatic path light control based on a detected size and classification of motion around the device using passive infrared (PIR) sensor technologies and distributed classification algorithms, and on detected light levels in and around the path area using ambient light sensor (ALS) technologies. By using such sensor data, the path light does not need to be maintained at a fixed value, which may be inadequate or inefficient at times, nor require constant user adjustments. Implementations of the disclosed subject matter enable automatic path light control that can be dynamic and automatically adjusted to fit the environment, the current user characteristics and the current user movements through the environment.