What is it?

This is a completed ESPresense bluetooth presence detection sensor. Most folks use this with Home Assistant to do room-tracking for automations.

Unlike other options available, this project does not require a random pcb to be dangling from the wall using a cheap phone USB phone charger. Everything is self-contained in a small box that looks like an AC adapter.

Why did you make it?

I read several blog posts by Brian C Moses after seeing ESPresense mentioned on Reddit. Then I started seeing several videos from Reed's Smart Home. Initially, I had random ESP32 modules hanging off my walls, which didn't work very well in a house with small children and a wife who dislikes messy things.

I started looking at what I could do to make it more compact. There were some really good projects that used 3d printed parts, combined with angled USB adapters and thin wall chargers, but I just didn't like them. So I designed some circuitry which would power the ESP32 directly from the wall outlet.

What makes it special?

This ESPresense Base Station is completely built and ready to use. It's flashed with the newest ESPresense firmware.

All you'll need to do is plug it into a wall outlet to use it. Initially you'll have to connect to it via WiFi and provide information about your own WiFi networks and Home Assistant MQTT broker. From there, you should be started with tracking the location of Bluetooth devices around your property.