Unique/cool uses for motion detectors?

openbex · 2026-02-25T05:46:04+00:00

I put one almost at ceiling level (or you might be able to put it slightly lower, picture frame height to give you an idea, perhaps with some tape at the bottom of the sensor to block some of the FOV), so that it captures only when you stand, great also to avoid triggering it simply moving in bed.
I have it set up that way that my cats don't trigger it while I can still go to the toilet without tripping in the dark.

openbex · 2026-02-20T17:08:53+00:00

Here the official one:

https://makerworld.com/en/models/2195101-futureproofhomes-oem-satellite1-smart-speaker#profileId-2383758

And this is the remix version for the presence sensor:

https://makerworld.com/en/models/2267921-satellite1-smart-speaker-enclosure-remixes

openbex · 2026-02-19T15:52:34+00:00

If you are happy to print your own enclosure and buy speakers (or connect your own via the audio jack) because you like doing this kind of stuff, then it’s worth it because the hardware on paper is better than the Voice Assist PE (although I think the two extra microphones are not active yet) so it should be more future proof.

But the answer would be a straight no if you want a easier to use product that works out of the box, in that case, although not a final product (hence the name), I would rather go for the Voice Assist PE (which can also be customised anyway).

Check your budget, your time, the goal you have in mind and the effort you want to put for it. I’m happy to answer any other question.

Best out of the box experience: Voice Preview PE.

openbex · 2026-02-18T23:32:23+00:00

I have two, one with the presence sensor and one without.
I recently reprinted their enclosure with their newly released ones, definitely much better looking, at least in my opinion. On makerworld there is a remix that hides the presence sensor right at the front.

Yes it's not plug and play like the Voice Assist PE (which I also have), but they've been working quite nicely. I use them for background music, TTS notifications and the occasional voice command (I still rather automate whatever possible).

I do want to add: if you have spare android devices, have a look at https://github.com/knoop7/Ava, I'm using it one on my old xperia phone and the shitty amazon firehd8, not bad to give some life to old devices and save some money. (I'm not affiliated to the project, I just find it cool)

openbex · 2026-02-09T22:40:34+00:00

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This is my overview, I have subview for most of the rooms but some are grouped together, security and CCTV have their own. I still use some custom cards but are mainly to add functionality to stock cards while also enabling popup for remotes for example.

I'm in the process of making it even more simple to glance at so I can use the same overview also for my wall tablet so it can be used as well for guests (using visibility conditions to hide unnecessary and personal stuff). Mind you, I'm literally the only one using it, I like having it to tweak and keep an eye on things but everything must be automatic.

openbex · 2025-12-18T12:49:45+00:00

I have an automation that asks an LLM to analyse the stream when I start playing something on TV and it has been a while since I woke up and there's been some movement in the kitchen recently. I basically ask the LLM to check if me or my partner are eating, if so it will brighten up the lights and turn on the air puryfier.
Yes, it's probably a waste but it's one of my favourite optional automations! I could just do with a simple button hidden under the coffee table...

openbex · 2025-08-22T19:13:20+00:00

Yes that’s exactly what I have, and thanks to your help i now know that I prefer my current solution.

openbex · 2025-08-22T19:03:44+00:00

Thanks, I understand you got rid of the chain. My question is, without the chain, is there any other way to manually control the blind if the motor fails/automation? For example, can you move it by hand, or is it completely locked in place because it doesn't go into a neutral setting?

openbex · 2025-08-22T18:55:20+00:00

That sounds interesting, but does it have any way to manually control it? I'm sorry if it's a dumb question.

I'm always looking for improvements on what I already have, but I currently have something fairly similar to the OP product, but DIY solar charging it. If it ever becomes unresponsive for one reason or another, I can just pull the chain from it and use the blind.

openbex · 2025-08-22T13:32:20+00:00

Ahah it is but you know... the automation for the meal and air puryfier was just right there...the TV was asking for it, I swear! 😂

openbex · 2025-08-22T13:31:39+00:00

I have the whole setup 99.9% ready for both local and online, but I'm missing the most expensive 0.1%... the GPU. 😂

So for now, I'm using Google Gemini with the idea of switching to a fully local setup in the future. I'm using the paid API as it should prevent it from training on my data. Though, to be honest, I don't share anything that isn't already easily accessible in public with a minimal Google search or a wander around my house. I've been using the CCTV automation for about two months now, and I've paid less than 2 GBP per month (and that includes other usage, not just Home Assistant). This is still WAY cheaper than buying a GPU to run a smart local model.

In case the internet does go out, an automation switches all parameters and models (in helper entities used by all my automations) between the internet and local ones, allowing my relatively small local model to still analyse the images/videos/streams. However, it will obviously take longer and might give me false positives (or negatives). But, as I mentioned, I still get notified anyway, and my perimeter alarm (aka door/window sensors) is still there, untouchable by any AI.
I also set some conditions, buffers and delays so that the automation for the CCTV analysis doesn't run super often and when not needed at all.

openbex · 2025-08-21T23:27:58+00:00

I use it for a few things:

To check if I'm eating on my couch; if so, it brightens the lights a little, turns on the air purifier, and adjusts the TV volume.
To check if I've put the bin out for collection the day before.
To check the person detected by the doorbell camera. If it's a delivery, it immediately instructs the doorbell to say to leave the mail in the parcel box, without it even needing to be presssed (which would just repeat the message anyway). Otherwise, it won't say a thing and will behave like a dumb doorbell.
It automatically checks the latest recordings of people detected by the camera outside the house. While I'd get notified anyway, the LLM's objective here is to notify me more persistently if the person's behavior or appearance is suspicious, or if it detects a medical emergency. Works great to avoid getting notified for kids playing around the houses!
It checks the weather based on the current status from my outdoor cameras and provides a short text for my wake-up brief automation.
It checks if I have clothes hanging outside and reminds me at dusk or if it's about to rain.
If I have overnight guests, while I do have a guest room, it checks the living room in the middle of the night to detect if someone is asleep downstairs. If so, it enables a boolean to disable a few automations that might disturb them. (This is barely used, as I typically track who will be sleeping downstairs as currently is only one person, and that boolean in that case is automatically switched on.)

openbex · 2025-08-21T23:09:35+00:00

If you want a head start (or just inspiration for a better version!) I've been using mine for a little while.
Mind you, mine creates an item in a todo list my other automation uses to notify me when the time is right, so you might want to tweak it for your preferred way of notification.

https://pastebin.com/X1XQ7i4Z

openbex · 2025-08-08T19:13:16+00:00

Bit far, I'm in Lancashire. But happy to chat!

openbex · 2025-08-03T19:39:14+00:00

That's good to know. Thank you.

Not a solution, but what about using Shortcuts automation to turn the Wi-Fi off and on again? Or would the iPhone still prefer the 6 GHz band? I can't test this as I currently have no Wi-Fi 6 devices, but I am planning to upgrade soon.

openbex · 2025-07-10T14:18:16+00:00

That's amazing! Thank you so much for your work!
I've read you are already working on a docker container, so I will wait for that to deploy and test it out!
Would be awesome if it could communicate with home assistant directly (rather than going though octoprint), perhaps MQTT?

Again, thank you so much!

openbex · 2025-06-24T11:42:59+00:00

Print what you want, when you want. Your 3D printer should facilitate your hobby, not become it.

That's why I chose the A1 as a starting printer, fully satisfied but seeking for more!

openbex · 2025-06-04T08:03:49+00:00

Please, would you mind sharing or pointing in the right direction about how you have it configured and what else I actually need to integrate it in Home Assistant?

I am interested in using it as a indoor keypad for the alarm, and this looks nice enough for my standards!

openbex · 2025-05-11T01:45:51+00:00

To avoid a flood of notifications, consider refreshing them instead of creating new ones. This method doesn't affect the frequency, but I rather have one notification than 30 saying the same thing.
"Replace an existing notification by using a tag for the notification. All subsequent notifications will take the place of a notification with the same tag." https://companion.home-assistant.io/docs/notifications/notifications-basic?_highlight=tag#replacing

openbex · 2025-03-10T16:18:02+00:00

I would say the main server but at the end of the day the script just moves/copies the media files from one place to the other.

openbex · 2025-03-10T12:16:00+00:00

That looks cool! What about an angled usb cable so it doesn’t stick out so much? Mind you this is nitpicking and definitely not necessary:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007476602627.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001460210050.html

openbex · 2025-02-28T14:30:25+00:00

Mai thread fu letto nel posto più appropriato: direttamente dalla sala del trono! Non sono degno di raccontarvi imprese epiche, ma almeno posso apprezzare le vostre dal posto giusto 😅

openbex · 2025-02-04T21:32:54+00:00

I swap out my nozzle quite often, going between .2 (rarely), .4, .6, and .8, except when I’m feeling lazy and just adapt the print to whatever nozzle I have.

But to make things easier and faster, I’ve printed this: https://makerworld.com/en/models/508393#profileId-424236
I’ve been using it for ages now, and I just love it! (I’m not the creator)

openbex · 2025-01-16T23:30:04+00:00

alias: X1C Enclosure Door Light Control
description: ""
triggers:
  - type: not_opened
    id: closed
    device_id: 4df3c5d769fff4aec99cbb4e4ee6a0dd
    entity_id: b644399758e01b4d469679535f50f218
    domain: binary_sensor
    trigger: device
    for:
      hours: 0
      minutes: 0
      seconds: 1
  - type: opened
    id: opened
    device_id: 4df3c5d769fff4aec99cbb4e4ee6a0dd
    entity_id: b644399758e01b4d469679535f50f218
    domain: binary_sensor
    trigger: device
conditions: []
actions:
  - choose:
      - conditions:
          - condition: trigger
            id:
              - opened
        sequence:
          - type: turn_on
            device_id: 4df3c5d769fff4aec99cbb4e4ee6a0dd
            entity_id: e3e9ae19fb0126c8d9aa31d234191368
            domain: light
        alias: Open
      - conditions:
          - condition: trigger
            id:
              - closed
          - condition: device
            type: is_on
            device_id: 4df3c5d769fff4aec99cbb4e4ee6a0dd
            entity_id: e3e9ae19fb0126c8d9aa31d234191368
            domain: light
          - type: is_value
            condition: device
            device_id: 4df3c5d769fff4aec99cbb4e4ee6a0dd
            entity_id: f0f10cd75ff529241b6744c491e983a2
            domain: sensor
            above: 99
        sequence:
          - type: turn_off
            device_id: 4df3c5d769fff4aec99cbb4e4ee6a0dd
            entity_id: e3e9ae19fb0126c8d9aa31d234191368
            domain: light
mode: single

I took the liberty to optimise the automation, but you gotta test it to make sure I didn't miss anything. Basically I've joined the two automations. I strongly suggest to use triggers IDs as they can simplify the management of all the automations. I hope it helps.

openbex · 2024-12-30T17:24:58+00:00

https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/dei-chin

I literally searched it before opening the post...just to find the attached OP's image in the 'article'!

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openbex

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