Using Smart Motion Sensor to Detect Lack of Movement
I am trying to use my motion sensor to support an elderly relative to remain living independently. I'd like it to send me a notification if it has NOT detected movement in the previous twelve (12) hours - this is relying on the assumption that the person will be moving through a particular area at least once every twelve hours. If no movement is detected we can arrange to check on them to ensure there hasn't been a fall or similar.
I can set up a Smart Action "WHEN No Motion Detected for (Custom) 60 min THEN Send Notification". Is it possible to extend the 60 minutes to 12 hours?
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@DumbAu Thanks so much for your suggestion. Unfortunately the Ring Sensor's aren't yet available in New Zealand. We've encouraged her in regards to the wearables but she is pretty stubborn. That's why I'm trying to set up something with the least invasion to her privacy as possible. I've set up switches that if pressed will send me an alert and hopefully can get the sensor functionality working too. I'll keep an eye out to see if the ring sensors become available here.
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@NJC123 I only mentioned the Ring motion sensor because it is what I am using for motion triggered automations in Alexa. According to the US Amazon page for the Tapo T100 motion sensor, it works with Alexa so theoretically you should be able to use it to trigger a notification if there is no movement for a target amount of time and you can also limit it to whatever times of the day you think are appropriate-- such as during the day when she is generally awake. Alexa would simply provide a bridge of functionality until the Tapo app adds a trigger for the motion sensor that you need. Even without the motion triggered notification, the drop in skill will allow you to communicate with her and her with you even if she cannot get to a phone as long as she is within hearing distance to the Alexa device.
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The maximum time limit for this trigger skill is fixed. You may raise a feature request post for it.
For such scenes, why don't you consider a security camera? Although the camera does not have a "no motion detected" feature, but you can tell what has happened through the footage.
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I do not have a TP-link motion sensor but I do have a Ring motion sensor that came with my alarm system package that I am not using with the alarm. Ring makes the motion snsor visible in Alexa so perhaps the same is true with the TP-Link motion sensor. I setup my motion sensor with 2 Alexa routines in my shop to turn my Air cleaner on and off via a TP-Link. Anytime between daylight hours that it detects motion, it turns on the air cleaner. I have the off routine setup so that if no motion is detected for 20 minutes, it turns the air cleaner off. It works flawlessly. I also have it setup to turn on the shoplights via a TP-Link switch when motion is detected, though I do not have it turn off the lights when motion is not detected. You could, for example, set up a routine that sends you a notification through the Alexa on your phone or perhaps even another Alexa device (not sure that will work at different locations) when no motion has been detected for certain lengths of time during certain hours of the day. You will have to add an Alexa device to the home but that may give you extra monitoring capabilities as I think that you you can use the drop in feature that I think works sort of like an intercom. You can also have it make an announcement on the Alexa device based upon a triggered event, set alarms, give the weather and other skills, that you might find helpful.
As an asside, I have an 90+ friend who has an Apple watch that has a feature that will send an alert to an emergency contact, when it detects a fall . They need an iPhone to make that work but it is some nice insurance.
EDIT to add: Alexa routine for motion sensor trigger allows up to 12 hours for no motion and you can specify a time frame for that as well.
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@Wayne-TP Thanks for coming back to me. I'll do as you suggest and raise a feature request. We are intentionally NOT using cameras in order to maintain privacy. I don't need to see what she is up to, only to know that she is moving around - or more accurately, not moving around.
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@DumbAu Thanks so much for your suggestion. Unfortunately the Ring Sensor's aren't yet available in New Zealand. We've encouraged her in regards to the wearables but she is pretty stubborn. That's why I'm trying to set up something with the least invasion to her privacy as possible. I've set up switches that if pressed will send me an alert and hopefully can get the sensor functionality working too. I'll keep an eye out to see if the ring sensors become available here.
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@NJC123 I only mentioned the Ring motion sensor because it is what I am using for motion triggered automations in Alexa. According to the US Amazon page for the Tapo T100 motion sensor, it works with Alexa so theoretically you should be able to use it to trigger a notification if there is no movement for a target amount of time and you can also limit it to whatever times of the day you think are appropriate-- such as during the day when she is generally awake. Alexa would simply provide a bridge of functionality until the Tapo app adds a trigger for the motion sensor that you need. Even without the motion triggered notification, the drop in skill will allow you to communicate with her and her with you even if she cannot get to a phone as long as she is within hearing distance to the Alexa device.
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@DumbAu Hey! This was super helpful! Thank you. I've managed to connect it through Alexa and set it up how I wanted. Thanks for being patient with me and providing your suggestion. I really appreciate it.
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NJC123 wrote
@Wayne-TP Thanks for coming back to me. I'll do as you suggest and raise a feature request. We are intentionally NOT using cameras in order to maintain privacy. I don't need to see what she is up to, only to know that she is moving around - or more accurately, not moving around.
I see, understood.
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NJC123 wrote
@DumbAu Hey! This was super helpful! Thank you. I've managed to connect it through Alexa and set it up how I wanted. Thanks for being patient with me and providing your suggestion. I really appreciate it.
Have you tested whether this setup actually works? Do you receive an Alexa notification when the sensor has no movement detected for over 12h?
The time calculation in this automation trigger should be a feature supported by Alexa. If this setting works correctly, it indicates that the sensor's status information is compatible with Alexa's time calculations.
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@Wayne-TP Thanks for checking in. I've tested it successfully. I'm really happy to have found a solution. I still think it would be useful to have this function in the Tapo app.
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