The mini mailbox lets you know when you get mail

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Deliveries, oh how we yearn for them! Yet, a simple trek to the mailbox can feel like an expedition into the unknown. Will there be mail today, or just a disappointing void? YouTuber James Music has orchestrated a delightful solution to this age-old conundrum.

An electronic ballet: 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. However, fear not, aficionados of ESPHome! 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

For this charming miniature mailbox to dance its way into your life, your actual mailbox will need a splash of intelligence. Enter Home Assistant, which requires a method to detect your incoming mail. The original maestro employed door break sensors, but a Aqara door/window sensor could also do the trick.

Gathering the orchestra: necessary components

To bring this miniature masterpiece to life, you'll need a 3D printer to craft 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. As you watch your miniature mailbox pirouette with each delivery, you'll wonder how you ever lived without this charming companion.

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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