RFID/Keypad home access, but managed in Home Assistant

[jcort (Jan Cortenbach)]

I’ve come accross multiple solutions where existing access control systems were used to signal HomeAssistant to disarm alarms, open doors, etc.

Howeve I’m looking for a professionL looking solution where I can manage access through Homeassistant (e.g. the househekeeper can access between 2 and 4 pm on wednesdays, or giving someone a temporary code). In addition, I see a risk with the aforementioned solutions and that is the fact is that they use relais to switch higher voltages, and relais can often be overrided wit high-power magnets.

What I’m looking for shouldn’t be that complicated… A system that just sends the entered numbers from the keypad or the keychain that is coming from an RFID reader to an ESP32. I can than feed that info to HA and doe validation on it through NodeRed. However, I just can’t find a nice looking system for it. Of course there are simple numapds or PCBs with RFID readers, but I just can’t hang those on my frointoor (and I suck at making nice cages)…

(in advance: not sure if I’m using RFID vs. NFC in their right terminology).

Any suggestions?

[mn_box (Martijn)]

I am looking for something similar, did you find a solution Jan?

[jcort (Jan Cortenbach)]

Unfortunately not yet!

[vso1 (Victor)]

Your question sounds “easy” but has more to it than meets the eye.

basicly you need to “solve” multiple questions

• 1st how does the door unlock ? electrical on/off (toggle) cilinder or a “smart” lock … pick one, if you need a relay though you can extend the wires to a point out of reach of evil do-ers. Remember to have a key option at all times.
• 2nd the external tag/keypad reader sends a signal to HASS from there you can add automations/triggers/events for example a calendar event ? or set time that allows acces between X and Y this is basicly a “hass” party
• 3d how to do it proffesionally with desired options.

I bought a Nuki keylock that at least solved the 1st part, the second part I am building right now.

Door Lock recommendation (RFID/NFC and HASS compatible)

I use a NUKI smart lock, I selected it because it has an API / HA intergration… (although lock/unlock is something you manually need(ed) to add From there an simple automation can do the trick to unlock/open the door … Currently working on a esphome based external RFID/NFC reader … (arduino/esp32/RPI … pick one) RFID/NFC reader (same as above pick one) battery pack thingy (recommend a exposed model not a power bank, because you might want to hook up a voltage divider or couple to monitor the…

you can also wifi connection + webhook/webpage .for HASS with “open door” only option depending on your wifi security of course. (companion app + local (aka WIFI) only, disabling remote access)

For an external “controller” via ESP/Arduino/RPI device, just make it send any input to HASS, where HASS will evaluate the input as valid … from button to 10 digit code on the keypad/rfid/fingerscan(ner)
Starting with the button.

A proffesional look well that is the most “easy” part … just depends on your wallet.