So this brings us back to the idea of how can this be used, and can it be done. Can the single person living alone with depression, set up a back up plan/system to keep a check on themselves? I mean hell, they don’t even have to be depressed, if you live alone, anything can happen, its a part of life. Can they set something up as a back up life line?
Apartment complexes have so much red tape and legal stuff to deal with, it would be tough for them to set it up, but hey, if you are clear and up front about the tech that is in your apartment, I am sure there are legal ways to set this up, and you never know, this could be the next million dollar idea!
This is why I wanted to start the discussion though, since I am sure there is someone out there, or many people out there that may want something like this, if they read/see.
Some of the best ideas in the world started out on a napkin, maybe this is the napkin, and we are all just starting the brainstorm?
For the implementation side, I’d go with something like a “haven’t seen you in a while” entity. It would be set to “yes” or “true” when HA detects (more on that later) that you haven’t followed your normal pattern in a while. At the same time, it would send you a text notification: “Hey, you OK?”
If you are, you’d go into HA and turn the flag off. If not, after a set time HA would make the notification. I’d go with text here, too. I’m not sure a voice call adds much value. You could text one person or a dozen.
As for the detection piece, that depends. In my case, if I haven’t tweaked something in HA for 24 hours, something is very much not normal. If you have presence detection, not coming home for an extended period might work, if you’re the type who keeps to a schedule. Or maybe you haven’t logged on to HA (or some other system) for a certain period. Or your location isn’t where it’s supposed to be (like not at work on a work day.) Even something as simple as the lack of light switches and door sensors triggering could indicate a problem. The possibilities are endless. But in all cases, you would want to keep it as simple as possible.
I don’t think the OP ever suggested this be used commercially for an apartment building, only that the idea came from having to do welfare checks at one. Obviously the solution would have to be finely tuned to each individual using it.
I did think it could be used in an apartment community that has a special need for something like this, did the resident not leave their home for 36 hours? Could be a sign of trouble, maybe not for the average apartment community, but let’s say a drug rehab clinic? Nursing home?
I do agree it would have to be tailored for each person/situation, but can something general be made, that allows enough tweaking what I am thinking. Could an integration, or an HACS addon be made that can allow enough customization to be made that we can make something for the general public? Since that was the point of this whole thing, trying to make something for the public that can be customized. I love the dead man switch, but that should/could be just 1 option in the greater addon.
I personally would be using motion detection, I routinely go to the kitchen for more water, and or move around on my couch while watching TV (it’s right above me, covers a huge chunk of my house) so even if I fall asleep, the bedroom one would catch me moving when I went to bed (as an example) so there would be almost no chance of a false alarm. Using 2-3 points of motion detection could be an option in the addon.
I know there is a way to create a php script (there used to be) with a home server, that you could send email and I believe text someone, so HA could in theory call that script with the emergency contact information and notify them that way. That could be another part of the add on.
Oh here’s a better one, is there a way to make a google home/alexa call someone’s phone and speak? I know they be asked to call, but is there a way to call directly? Maybe that can be created?
If you have presence detection, not coming home for an extended period might work, if you’re the type who keeps to a schedule. Or maybe you haven’t logged on to HA (or some other system) for a certain period. Or your location isn’t where it’s supposed to be (like not at work on a work day.) Even something as simple as the lack of light switches and door sensors triggering could indicate a problem. The possibilities are endless. But in all cases, you would want to keep it as simple as possible.
I have the idea, but not the skills.