Aqara Vibration Sensor: How to get the most out of it (Home Automation Tips & Ideas)

[@HeyTechi]

Thanks so much for watching as always! Have you been using any Aqara devices in your smart home?

[@pimw9805]

I attached it to a shower curtain. I'm using it in Home Assistant to detect shower activity. This is triggered by a combination of sensor input which should all be true (to prevent false positive triggers). The combination that i use to detect showering is: vibration of the shower curtain + bathroom light is on + motion detected in the bathroom + boiler is heating. After these conditions are met, the ventilation is going to maximum. It never failed me. This is a much more elegant solution than using a humidity detector, because that would be too slow (the whole idea is to prevent humidity).

[@HeyTechi]

That is some outstanding smart home design Pim! Thanks for sharing!

[@Hasmatix]

Just put humidity sensor

[@GabooN]

I use one in the back of my desk chair as well. It triggers my 'work from home' scene - Turns on the ceiling light and the led strips behind my monitor for bias lighting, to adaptive lighting setting in HomeKit, as well as turns on the monitor and HDMI switch. I have it set currently to turn off only after it hasn't been triggered for 15 minutes.

[@HeyTechi]

This sounds great Kyle, adding in the time dynamic too (e.g: turn off al office lights after X minutes if no motion is detected) is a smart way to keep the electric bill down too!

[@EnzoEscH]

Great video dude! Looks very professional. Definitely deserves more views and subscribers. Cheers!

[@HeyTechi]

Much appreciated Enzo! Thanks for watching and hope to see you again here in the comments again soon!

[@NickGilham]

Love these ideas.

[@richchapman5011]

Try placing the vibration sensor under a kitchen worktop counter so when the counter top is knocked a few times it activates under cabinet lights to come on or increase in intensity. That way you can tap the counter so that you can see better in a set location for cutting etc.

[@HeyTechi]

That's a genius idea Rich, will definitely give this a try!

[@91326]

When using the tilt sensor, does it only detect when a tilt motion happens? Or will is sense if its in a tilted position? For example, can it be used on a garage door to report if the garage door is open or closed?

[@MAMDAVEM]

I used one to detect when my shower pump is activated to switch on my electric towel radiator. I tried to use one to detect when my washing machine starts/end the spin cycle, however I found it to be too insensitive to detect the vibration so I use an energy monitoring smart plug instead.

[@markandjennyhesketh7149]

It is possible to change the sensitivity, I have done this in Home Assistant

[@HeyTechi]

You can adjust the sensitivity for this within the Aqara app - but only between low/med/high... I do wish Aqara gave us the range of customisation options like in Home Assistant... Thanks for watching! I hope you enjoyed the video!

[@frankieelkfolk2643]

I use a vibration sensor on my home office door to detect someone knocking on the door. My family knock before entering, but if I am using headphones or in a call etc I may not hear it. With the vibration sensor I can get a notification that someone is at the door.

[@HeyTechi]

That's a great idea Frankie - how do you control this for when you open and close the door? Perhaps it's not an issue? Thanks for sharing and watching the video!

[@Crsawood]

I have a fire suppression system in my home that runs off a pump. I have a vibration sensor mounted to the pump, that will alert me if the pump motor starts. Essentially like a fire alarm.

[@HeyTechi]

Brilliant idea Craig - just make sure to keep a very close eye on the battery if you're using this as a fire alarm! Thanks so much for watching!

[@mrxmry3264]

Does it work with home assistant?

[@NigelGent]

yes

[@Genc85]

I have one on my Window directly on the glass. Can you tell me how to get it off again? İ want to Stick it to another place

[@01234slayer43210]

Can i use this as an earthquake detection sensor?. Im a heavy sleeper so i need loud sounds to wake me up

[@vimalramachandran]

In theory, yes, why not?

[@MAMDAVEM]

I couldn't get mine to detect a spining washing machine, so I doubt it would detect a minor earthquake.

[@vimalramachandran]

@@MAMDAVEM Get the YoLink vibration sensor. It works better than Aqara's. I literally have YoLink on my washing machine and it detects vibrations readily.

[@mrxmry3264]

IFTTT :-( Is there a way to use this without using IFTTT? If not, this sensor is not an option for me.

[@AlexManMe]

He meant the format, not the provider

[@marcomaremonti4193]

How to replace battery if sensor is attached on door?

[@maxamillionschnell]

twist the sensor body and pull forward

[@Capital444]

This is a great video but damn the censor not being straight on the window bugs me haha

[@HeyTechi]

Never noticed this during filming and editing, but now I can't miss it! Thanks for watching as always!

[@ChrisWilliams-vm1do]

I put one in my gun safe along with an Aqara door sensor.

[@robbobkirk]

You don't need an aqara hub. Any ZigBee receiver will pick it up.

[@HeyTechi]

That's right @Robbobkirk, but if you want to use this device within an Apple Homekit set up (which is the angle we take for all our videos) the best and simplest advice option is to use an Aqara hub :) It can be done in other ways too as you say, but it can get messy and confusing for anyone just starting out!

[@BENGALSPRIMETIME2024]

I just have gone down the Aqara path…and 4 weeks later, I NOW know I made a mistake. The SENSORS are always dropping off line! WTF! Who wants SENSORS that are always OFF LINE? Not this Guy! Thanks Aqara for wasting my money and time. The SENSORS are all over the house and it didn’t matter how close they were to the hub!

[@patrickpaganini]

I attach one to my forehead so I know when I get out of bed. Can we have more adverts for YT subscriptions? I'm not sure 10 is enough.

[@HeyTechi]

Jibe as you might, there's definitely an opportunity for some vibration sensor-based automations under a mattress... A pressure sensor might be better for that though - make sure you go check out Shane Whatley's latest video for a great tutorial where he shows how to make one. Thanks for watching Patrick, hope you've enjoyed the video and not forgot to subscribe!

[@patrickpaganini]

@@HeyTechi I looked for a pressure sensor, but a lot are sold out atm. I thought I might wait for the Aqara FP2 presence sensor, and see if its touted ability to know standing or lying might work instead. Thanks for the video!

[@HeyTechi]

We'll be testing out the FP2 as soon as we can - sometimes Aqara products are that bit harder to get a hold of here in the UK. Watch this space!

[@MrBobWareham]

Dont like apple

[@HeyTechi]

That's fair enough Bob - Aqara devices will also work with Amazon and Google smart home systems!

[@sven1858]

these will work with other zigbee hubs, I use zigbee to mqtt, but used them with a lidl sourced hub as well

[@Us_and_themm]

I love the idea to get a notification when you have mail, is there no way to this can work directly in homekit? 😊