I recently decided to create a child-friendly sleep trainer using ESPHome after my daughter’s sheep sleep trainer proved to be fragile and unreliable. The idea came to life when my son received a fire truck bed with a noisy, battery-powered flashlight. I wanted to enhance it with smart features, turning it into a sleep trainer.
I started by gathering components like 12V lights, buttons, relays, a 12V to 5V converter, and a Wemos D1 mini. I designed the enclosure using spare wood, painted it red to match the fire truck theme, and even added illuminated buttons for a fun touch.
To ensure everything worked seamlessly, I used KiCad to create an electrical schematic, though I’m still learning the ropes with this tool. The final setup integrates with Home Assistant, allowing me to control the lights and buttons remotely.
While I’m still waiting for some components, the project has already shown promising results. I plan to set up automations to turn off the buttons, signaling my son to stay in bed. This project not only adds a playful element to bedtime routines but also helps in teaching responsibility and routine.
If anyone has tips or suggestions for improving this setup, I’d love to hear them! It’s been a rewarding DIY journey, and I’m excited to see how it impacts our daily routine.