Today, we're delving into an ESPHome project that elevates bed automation to impressive new heights. A creative tech enthusiast has ingeniously crafted a DIY bed presence detector using thin film pressure sensors and an ESP32. Remarkably, this device distinguishes between different sides of the bed! It's a tad more complex than other ESPHome endeavours, employing the ADC sensor. Fear not—the creator thoroughly explains how it all comes together.
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The Wonders of Good-Night Automation in Home Assistant
Ever experienced the magic of good-night automation? It was my first foray into using Home Assistant, and it utterly transformed my bedtime routine. It wasn't fully automated since it required manual activation through my sleep tracker, but it was still a revelation. Furthermore, it ensured my cat didn't trigger motion sensors and protected me from harsh bathroom lights during midnight visits. Not to mention, the Google Nest Mini serenaded me with soothing white-noise lullabies.
Essentials for Bed Presence Detection With ESPHome
Like projects with PWM LED strips, this detector utilizes an ESP32. These boards are equipped with several Analog To Digital (ADC) pins, essential for connecting each analogue pressure sensor. If you're monitoring more than one person, you'll need additional sensors.
Powering the ESP32 is straightforward—just use the onboard USB Micro-B connector and a spare phone charger. The components aren't demanding, but if you're incorporating under-bed lighting, a more robust power supply is necessary for the LED strips.
The thin film pressure sensors are the project's unsung heroes. These modest devices measure pressure between two surfaces—your mattress and bed frame. Each sensor requires a resistor connected to the ground pin; the creator used a 5k Ohm resistor. Depending on your mattress and body weight, some experimentation may be needed.
Although the project is well-documented, the wiring details are scarce. However, this guide is a great resource. Just replace the ESP8266 with your ESP32. Remember, wiring thin film pressure sensors differs from digital sensors, so accuracy is key.
Bed Presence Detection Mechanism
Configuring each sensor requires only a snippet of YAML code. The creator has shared the necessary code for replication. The ESPHome code determines bed occupancy. Using on_value_range, an input_boolean in Home Assistant activates when pressure exceeds a preset threshold. The creator even provides their complete Node-RED configuration for the bed presence detection. So, why not upgrade your bed into a smart bed? That's truly sleeping in style!
