I’m using a variety of PIR motion sensors and mmWave presence sensors; most work fairly well, with a few exceptions. At this point, I have all the lights in my house automated, but with one exception: the master bedroom. I’d like to automate my bedroom lights so that they turn on when someone enters the bedroom unless someone else is already in bed sleeping. So far, none of the sensors I’ve used are precise or reliable enough to do this. I’ve thought about using the status of our phones (charging/not charging), but my girlfriend doesn’t always plug in her phone when she’s asleep. Scheduling won’t work, since we both sleep at random times when we’re off work, sometimes during the day. Maybe a pressure sensor under the mattress?

Aquara makes a device that’s advertised as being able to detect multiple people as well as sleeping people. This would be perfect if it worked, but Aquara devices seem to be the ones that always cause me the most problems.

Any suggestions?

  • OCT0PUSCRIME@lemmy.moorenet.casaEnglish
    10·
    1 year ago

    I made a pressure sensor for my bed with an ESP board, some tinfoil, foam, and cut up Ethernet cord. Here it is talked about on HomeAssistant forums.

    If you go this route make sure to read all the comments in this thread. Original uses paper, I used some foam to make the distance between the tinfoil larger. There is also a comment around the 150 comment mark that has some extra settings to put in ESP home regarding voltage. They made a massive difference in false positives, which you really don’t want if you are relying on this for keeping the lights off while you sleep.

    • SayCyberOnceMore@feddit.ukEnglish
      5·
      1 year ago

      Yep. This is the way…

      IMHO the only accurate way to detect a sleeping person that doesn’t move for hours, is by weight / pressure.

    • Avid AmoebaEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      Could a strain gauge under one of the legs, or between the mattress and the frame do this with even less effort?