The mini mailbox lets you know when you get mail

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Craving for that parcel to arrive? The anticipation can sometimes make the simple walk to the mailbox feel like a trek to Mordor. Will there be a bunch of letters waiting for you, or will you be met with the soul-crushing emptiness of a barren box? Fear not, for YouTuber James Music has concocted an adorable tech-solution to this age-old postal predicament.

Meet the mini mailbox

James Music's nifty contraption doesn't quite fit the mould of an ESPHome project, as it features Tasmota firmware on a LOLIN D1 mini. But don't worry, ESPHome lovers! With a little tinkering, it should be possible to port this project, as ESPHome is no stranger to servos. Though, it's worth noting that the creator did mention a few hiccups in the porting process on Reddit.

The foundation: making your mailbox smart

To make this adorable miniature mailbox a part of your everyday routine, your real mailbox needs a dose of smarts. Enter Home Assistant, which requires a method to detect your incoming mail. The original artist used door break sensors, but an Aqara door/window sensor could also work.

Assembling the tech-ensemble: the necessary bits and bobs

To bring this miniature masterpiece to life, you'll need a 3D printer to fashion the tiny mailbox. The blueprint for this petite creation is available on Thingiverse, waiting to be assembled. Additional components include a LOLIN/Wemos D1 mini, an SG90 9G servo, a few strands of wire, and a soldering station.

For the cherry on top, consider painting your mini mailbox or printing it with a colourful filament. You'll wonder how you ever lived without this charming companion as you watch your mailbox notify you of each delivery.

A portrait photo oif Liam Alexander Colman, the author, creator, and owner of Home Assistant Guide wearing a suit.

About Liam Alexander Colman

is an experienced Home Assistant user who has been utilizing the platform for a variety of projects over an extended period. His journey began with a Raspberry Pi, which quickly grew to three Raspberry Pis and eventually a full-fledged server. Liam's current operating system of choice is Unraid, with Home Assistant comfortably running in a Docker container.
With a deep understanding of the intricacies of Home Assistant, Liam has an impressive setup, consisting of various Zigbee devices, and seamless integrations with existing products such as his Android TV box. For those interested in learning more about Liam's experience with Home Assistant, he shares his insights on how he first started using the platform and his subsequent journey.

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