Back during the pandemic, hardware-based contract tracers were an idea. I built one using the ESP32; see https://github.com/tbensky/npct. In a nutshell, everyone generates a (non-centralized) hash for themselves based on local entropy. This hash is set to the BLE name of the ESP32. Turn it on and throw it in your backpack as you go out. When two ESP32s pass by each other, they both log the other's BLE name (hence hash). Later on, hash logs could be inspected and uploaded to a central server so you can see who encountered who. Seems like there's still some (non-Covid) applications for this (but I can't think of any). Fun project. Learned a lot about Bluetooth.
Ask HN: What have you built with ESPHome, ESP8266 or similar hardware
121–130 of 157 posts
Re: Ask HN: What have you built with ESPHome, ESP8266 or similar hardware
#122I have three strings of ws2812b LEDs on my kitchen controlled by two ESP8266s with PIR sensors, providing various under-cupboard lighting. It sounds over-engineered and was quite a lot of work to set up, but I chose to 'roll my own' because I couldn't find anything pre-made with the right combination of features without being too bulky. (Honestly, I'd happily have bought someone's product instead.) A nice bonus is th…
I think you're one of todays lucky 10000 [0] learning about WLED [1] today :)
Edit: not sure about the PIR sensor though... Edit2: nevermind, it'll do: https://kno.wled.ge/basics/compatible-hardware/#miscellaneou...
Re: Ask HN: What have you built with ESPHome, ESP8266 or similar hardware
#123I built a weather dashboard using an M5Paper from M5Stack. The M5Paper has an E-ink touch display, is the size of a small smart phone, and only needs to be charged every week or so. https://speechcode.com/blog/weather-dashboard/ I feel sheepish mentioning this project because there are so, so many weather displays like this. But this is mine, and not only was it fun to put together, but I use it every day.
Every junior I introduce to ESPs is at first afraid of soldering, green PCBs, cables going wild... Then they copy a project they like from a blog, and feel very proud when it comes to life, even if it's a very slightly modified clon. In no time they are tinkering on their own.
Re: Ask HN: What have you built with ESPHome, ESP8266 or similar hardware
#124A battery powered doorlock (pretty proud of that)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-wtu9toda0
A video doorbell with display and fingerprint reader: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w_xTNuditQ
Also smart meter readers, BLE Trackers... I just love it!
Re: Ask HN: What have you built with ESPHome, ESP8266 or similar hardware
#125A battery powered doorlock (pretty proud of that) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-wtu9toda0 A video doorbell with display and fingerprint reader: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w_xTNuditQ Also smart meter readers, BLE Trackers... I just love it!
Also forgot:
Synchronized multiroom speakers with squeezelite and LMS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwotxrCvHTA
Re: Ask HN: What have you built with ESPHome, ESP8266 or similar hardware
#126Bluetooth repeaters - BLE to WiFI so I can use them in Home Assistant
Button Bot - SwitchBot alternative
Wifi Calling Bell - Relay control calling bell with auto shut-off
Cameras - Uses ESPEye and ESP32 Cam, low res, low latency and does NOT hang Standing Desk - Turns on and off linear actuators
Water controllers - Relays attached to solenoids to automate my plants drip-watering and turn on sprinklers
PIR Sensors - A bit noisy, still not satisfied with performance
RF Transmitter - To replay RF signals
RF Receiver - To receive RF signals
The BLE Repeater has been really useful as it has helped me make many BLE devices available in Home Assistant making automations easy. The nRF connect app has been really helpful to make this happen.
Re: Ask HN: What have you built with ESPHome, ESP8266 or similar hardware
#127I've built tons of things. Most usefully, I built presence/motion/light/temperature sensors for my home, along with IR transmitter so I can control my TV/AC. They're about the size of two matchboxes, they cost about $10 each and they're amazing for my home automation: https://gitlab.com/stavros/sensor-board/ I've built cat toys for my blind cat, toy planes, a CNC, a cat feeder, a back-scratching robot, and more stuff…
Your posts are awesome! They helped me get started on my journey. Thanks!
Re: Ask HN: What have you built with ESPHome, ESP8266 or similar hardware
#128I've built tons of things. Most usefully, I built presence/motion/light/temperature sensors for my home, along with IR transmitter so I can control my TV/AC. They're about the size of two matchboxes, they cost about $10 each and they're amazing for my home automation: https://gitlab.com/stavros/sensor-board/ I've built cat toys for my blind cat, toy planes, a CNC, a cat feeder, a back-scratching robot, and more stuff…
> along with IR transmitter so I can control my TV/AC Any pointers for doing this? I've wanted to do this for a while
Sure, have a look at the source in my repo. I bitbang the pulses in a naive way. I realized later that everyone uses the same protocol and reading about it first would have been better, but it wasn't hard to bitbang anyway.
Re: Ask HN: What have you built with ESPHome, ESP8266 or similar hardware
#129I've built tons of things. Most usefully, I built presence/motion/light/temperature sensors for my home, along with IR transmitter so I can control my TV/AC. They're about the size of two matchboxes, they cost about $10 each and they're amazing for my home automation: https://gitlab.com/stavros/sensor-board/ I've built cat toys for my blind cat, toy planes, a CNC, a cat feeder, a back-scratching robot, and more stuff…
Your posts are awesome! They helped me get started on my journey. Thanks!
Thanks, I'm glad you like them!
Re: Ask HN: What have you built with ESPHome, ESP8266 or similar hardware
#130An esphome thingy that allows my Home Assistant to control my VP without it's ir remote