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An ESP32-based presence detection node designed for localized device tracking.
Reasons to use this over other solutions:
- ESP32 nodes are cheaper and easier to use than Raspberry Pis
- Extensive fingerprint-based IDs instead of MAC addresses for tracking or counting devices others can’t
- IRK-based enrollment of Apple devices to passively locate them uniquely, even with private random addresses
- Home Assistant MQTT Discovery for easy HA configuration
- Auto-updates by downloading GitHub-released binaries (optional, with a preference to disable if desired)
- Filters measured distance with both a median pre-filter and a 1Euro filter (reduces jitter for greater accuracy)
Ways to Use ESPresense
Section titled “Ways to Use ESPresense”ESPresense supports two fundamentally different approaches. Choosing the right one upfront will save you confusion and hardware costs.
Which Should I Choose?
Section titled “Which Should I Choose?”Choose mqtt_room if:
- You want simple room-based automations
- You have 1 node per room
- You don’t need a floor plan
Choose Companion if:
- You need precise X,Y coordinates
- You can deploy 5-8+ nodes per floor
- You have/want a floor plan
Requirements
Section titled “Requirements”- One or more ESP Nodes, depending on your approach
- A Trackable Device, such as a supported beacon, phone, or watch
- A MQTT Server
Configuration & Setup
Section titled “Configuration & Setup”- Network Configuration - WiFi and MQTT setup
- Hardware Support - LEDs, Motion, and Environmental sensors
- Advanced Settings - Filtering, Counting, and Scanning logic
- MQTT Settings - Configure via MQTT
Integrations
Section titled “Integrations”Connect ESPresense to your favorite automation platform:
Guides
Section titled “Guides”- Calibration - Scale your distance measurements for accuracy
- Technical - Under-the-hood details
Troubleshooting
Section titled “Troubleshooting”If you’re having trouble getting things set up or working properly, visit the troubleshooting page before opening an issue.
Feature Requests
Section titled “Feature Requests”Have an idea or a request? Share it on ESPresense Featurebase.
Credits
Section titled “Credits”This project builds on the hard work of a number of people.