Create the Ultimate Smart Home Experience with Presence Detection Sensor!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Upgrading the Room Presence Sensor
3. Understanding the Sensors Used
   1. Millimeter Wave Sensor
   2. PIR Motion Sensor
   3. Light Level Sensor
   4. Temperature, Humidity, and Air Pressure Sensor
4. Selecting the Right Components
   1. Panasonic PIR Motion Sensor
   2. BH1750 Light Level Sensor
   3. BME280 Temperature, Humidity, and Air Pressure Sensor
   4. ESP32 Microcontroller
5. Assembling the Sensor
   1. Mounting and Soldering the Sensors
   2. Using PCB Prototype Board
6. Setting Up the Software
   1. Using ESPHome
   2. Enhancements for the Millimeter Wave Sensor
7. Testing the Sensor
   1. Comparing Speed and Accuracy with Off-The-Shelf Solutions
   2. Reliability and Accuracy of the Sensors
   3. Practical Uses for the Room Presence Sensor
8. Exploring Bluetooth Functionality
   1. Personalized Automations
   2. ESPHome vs ES Presences
9. Size and Design Considerations
   1. Size Comparison with Off-The-Shelf Solutions
   2. Compactness and Cable Flexibility
   3. Wi-Fi vs Zigbee
10. Price Comparison and Conclusion

Upgrading the Ideal Room Presence Sensor

In a recent video, I introduced a custom-built room presence sensor that utilized millimeter wave technology to accurately detect the presence of a person, even when there is no movement. Inspired by the success of that project, I set out to Create an upgraded version, combining multiple sensors to create my ideal room presence sensor. This upgraded sensor features a range of useful sensors, including a PIR motion sensor, light level sensor, temperature and humidity sensor, air pressure sensor, and Bluetooth functionality. In this article, we will explore the selection of sensors, assembling the sensor unit, setting up the software, testing the sensor's performance, and discuss various use cases for this versatile room presence sensor.

Understanding the Sensors Used

Millimeter Wave Sensor

The foundation of this room presence sensor is the millimeter wave sensor. This technology allows for accurate detection of a person's presence, even when there is no movement. With precise distance and latency control, the millimeter wave sensor forms the Core of our room presence detection system.

PIR Motion Sensor

In addition to the millimeter wave sensor, I decided to include a PIR motion sensor to enhance the speed of detection. While the millimeter wave sensor is fast, I wanted to ensure instantaneous response for responsive lights. After researching various options, I selected the Panasonic EKMC series PIR motion sensor for its accuracy, fast response time, and reliable performance.

Light Level Sensor

To Gather real-time information about the brightness of the room, a light level sensor was added to the sensor unit. By receiving updates on the ambient light levels, we can make informed decisions about turning on or off the lights. The BH1750 light level sensor was chosen for its compact size, I2C interface compatibility, and ease of integration with the ESPHome software.

Temperature, Humidity, and Air Pressure Sensor

A room presence sensor can be more than just a motion detector; it can also monitor the temperature, humidity, and air pressure in the room. This information is useful for controlling heating, air conditioning, and other room-Based automations. The BME280 sensor was selected for its accurate measurement capabilities and compatibility with the ESPHome software.

Selecting the Right Components

Panasonic PIR Motion Sensor

After experiencing some false positives with cheaper PIR motion sensors, I opted for the industrial-grade Panasonic PIR motion sensor from their EKMC series. This sensor boasts high accuracy, a fast response time, a 12-meter range, and a wide detection angle, making it the gold standard for PIR motion sensors.

BH1750 Light Level Sensor

For accurate and frequent updates on the room's brightness, the BH1750 light level sensor was chosen. Its compact size, I2C interface compatibility, and good support from ESPHome make it an excellent choice for our room presence sensor.

BME280 Temperature, Humidity, and Air Pressure Sensor

To provide comprehensive data on temperature, humidity, and air pressure, the BME280 sensor was included. With its precise measurements and support for daisy-chaining via I2C, this sensor offers great flexibility for our room presence sensor.

ESP32 Microcontroller

To replace the ESP8266 from the previous version, I switched to the ESP32 microcontroller for two primary reasons. Firstly, it has more pull-down pins, allowing for perfect alignment and stacking of the millimeter wave sensor. Secondly, the ESP32 provides Bluetooth functionality, enabling personalized automations based on the presence of specific individuals in the room.

Assembling the Sensor

To bring all the components together, I mounted and soldered them onto a PCB prototype board. This process, although my first time using a prototype board, proved to be straightforward with careful planning of the layout. The prototype board also simplifies the design of an enclosure for the sensor unit.

Setting Up the Software

For the software, I chose to use ESPHome once again. As a highly customizable and versatile platform, ESPHome allows for full control over the various sensors in the room presence sensor. Additionally, it integrates seamlessly with the enhancements made to the millimeter wave sensor by CR-Logic on the Home Assistant forum. With ESPHome, we can adjust the distance, latency, sensitivity, and LED behavior of the millimeter wave sensor, providing fine-grained control over room presence detection.

Testing the Sensor

To evaluate the performance of our room presence sensor, we conducted several tests comparing its speed and accuracy against off-the-shelf solutions like the Acara FP1. The results showed that our custom sensor, particularly with the PIR motion sensor, demonstrated lightning-fast reaction times. The millimeter wave sensor captured movement even before entering the room, while the PIR sensor exhibited excellent responsiveness and accuracy. With the ability to fine-tune the sensors' behaviors through ESPHome, the custom room presence sensor proved reliable in various scenarios.

Practical Uses for the Room Presence Sensor

With its comprehensive sensor suite, the room presence sensor offers a wide range of practical applications. Motion-controlled lights, energy-saving automations, and zone-controlled heating or air conditioning are just a few examples. By combining the occupancy information from the sensors with other parameters like light levels and personal Bluetooth tracking, this sensor opens up endless possibilities for creating personalized and efficient automations tailored to individual needs.

Exploring Bluetooth Functionality

The addition of Bluetooth functionality to our room presence sensor allows for more personalized and Context-aware automations. By tracking Bluetooth devices, such as smartphones, we can identify the person in the room and trigger specific actions or announcements. While the Bluetooth tracking capabilities of ESPHome are not as advanced as those offered by ES Presences, the ability to have full control over all the sensors and functionalities of our custom sensor made ESPHome a more attractive choice.

Size and Design Considerations

Size is an important consideration when designing a room presence sensor. While our custom sensor may be slightly larger than off-the-shelf solutions like the Acara FP1, it offers enhanced functionality and flexibility. With further refinement, it is possible to make the sensor smaller and more compact. The removable cable of our custom sensor also provides convenience during installation and maintenance. Additionally, the choice between Wi-Fi and Zigbee connectivity is explored, highlighting the advantages of using Wi-Fi and ESPHome for greater control and customization.

Price Comparison and Conclusion

From a price perspective, the cost of our custom room presence sensor is comparable to off-the-shelf solutions. However, the added features, performance, and customization capabilities of our custom sensor make it a compelling choice. The sensor's fast reaction times, accuracy, reliability, and seamless integration with ESPHome provide a versatile tool for various smart home applications. In conclusion, the room presence sensor is a valuable addition to any smart home, offering endless possibilities for automation, energy savings, and personalized experiences.

Highlights

• Introducing an upgraded room presence sensor utilizing millimeter wave technology
• Combining multiple sensors including PIR motion, light level, temperature, humidity, and air pressure sensors
• Selecting high-quality components for accuracy and reliability
• Assembling the sensor using a PCB prototype board
• Setting up the software with ESPHome, featuring enhancements for the millimeter wave sensor
• Testing the sensor's speed, accuracy, and practical applications
• Exploring Bluetooth functionality for personalized automations
• Considering size, design, and connectivity options
• Price comparison and conclusion on the benefits of the custom room presence sensor

FAQ

Q: How does the millimeter wave sensor work? A: The millimeter wave sensor emits and receives electromagnetic waves in the millimeter wave frequency range. It analyzes the reflected waves to detect the presence of objects, even if they are not moving.

Q: Can the room presence sensor be used in multiple rooms? A: Yes, the room presence sensor can be installed in multiple rooms and integrated into a centralized automation system to control various aspects such as lighting, heating, and air conditioning based on occupancy.

Q: Can the sensor accurately detect presence even during low-activity situations? A: Yes, the combination of the millimeter wave sensor and PIR motion sensor ensures accurate detection of presence, even during low-activity situations where minimal movement is detected.

Q: Is the room presence sensor compatible with other smart home platforms? A: The room presence sensor is designed to work with the ESPHome platform, which offers extensive customization and integration capabilities. However, with some modifications, it may be possible to integrate the sensor with other smart home platforms.

Q: Can the room presence sensor track multiple individuals in a room? A: The included Bluetooth functionality allows for individual tracking in a room. By detecting the presence of specific Bluetooth devices, personalized automations can be triggered based on the identity of the person in the room.

Q: How does the room presence sensor contribute to energy savings? A: By accurately detecting room occupancy, the sensor enables automations that control lighting, heating, and other energy-consuming devices. This ensures that energy is only used when needed, leading to significant energy savings over time.