Bed Sensors Do More Than You’d Think

Bed sensors may initially seem like a novelty, but they hold significant potential for enhancing home automation systems. The Home Automation Guy demonstrates this by utilizing a pressure-sensing mat to detect occupancy on the bed, enabling various automation actions based on this information. With smart integration, the system can prevent unwanted disruptions during sleep, such as activating overhead lights or unnecessary smart devices.

In one approach, the pressure mat interfaces with a Zigbee Aqara Leak Sensor, leveraging its terminals to connect the wires from the pressure sensor. This setup seamlessly integrates with Zigbee-compatible home assistants like the Aqara Hub, providing a straightforward solution for bed occupancy detection. Alternatively, The Home Automation Guy opts for a more customizable setup by connecting the pressure mat directly to an ESP32 using a screw terminal dev board. By configuring the sensor and desired actions through ESPHome, users gain flexibility in tailoring automation tasks to their specific needs. Plus, with the ESP32’s versatility, expanding the system to include additional sensors for dual-bed occupancy becomes a viable option.

Read more: Bed Sensors Do More Than You’d Think