I connected the device directly to the indoor 12V access control power supply to serve as an HA monitoring screen, ensuring it stays powered on permanently without needing to be recharged. I also used a Bluetooth keyboard module—sourced from a fellow forum member—to trigger the screen to wake up when someone approaches and turn off when they leave.
iPad air2
More detail please. Why you are doing this? What do you use the screen for? What does the iPad run? HW setup and wiring and hacks… what is 12V access control? What kind of keyboard module? How does the keyboard module know someone approaches or not? SW setups…
The more the better.
Using an iPad as a central control panel for a Home Assistant smart home setup presents a challenge: traditional iPads require battery charging, and leaving them plugged in long-term creates heat and safety concerns. To solve this, the battery can be removed and replaced with a direct power module—such as a stable ZXDN10 DC-DC step-down module (capable of outputting 4.2V and over 2A)—allowing for continuous power without worrying about battery issues. Additionally, by pairing an ESP32-C3 with a millimeter-wave radar sensor (like the LD2410B) and flashing it with Bluetooth keyboard firmware, you can enable automatic screen activation when someone approaches. This method offers virtually zero latency and works far better than triggering the screen via SMS notifications.
external_components:
- source:
type: git
url: https://github.com/markusg1234/ESPHome-espidf_ble_keyboard
ref: main
path: components
components: [ espidf_ble_keyboard ]
espidf_ble_keyboard:
id: my_keyboard
device_name: "ESP32-C3 Keyboard"
key_delay_ms: 80
button:
- platform: espidf_ble_keyboard
keyboard_id: my_keyboard
name: "Wake iPad"
action: "\n"
- platform: restart
name: "Restart Keyboard"
This is interesting. Can you share a couple more photos of this ESP-keyboard-iPad setup?
Do I understand correctly that it is for the ESP32-C3 to take inputs from a mmwave sensor on one hand, and on the other hand to declare itself to iPad as a regular BT keyboard, waking up the iPad with a Enter key…?
And how do you turn off the screen on the iPad? Is it by issuing “control + command + Q” from the ESP32-C3…?
And then on the SW side, what do you display on the iPad? How do you tie the iPad to HA, for what purposes?
Hi, FYI: you could have saved yourself the hassle by using a smart plug controlled by the battery sensor from the companion app to control charging.
Why BT keyb FW?
Yes, I initially used an iPad-based charging strategy controlled by battery levels, but over time, I found that the automation would occasionally fail due to network issues. Since I happened to have a spare iPad Air 2 lying around, I decided to try a hardware modification. I utilized a 12V power supply—which provides constant power—located right by the entryway intercom, so I no longer have to worry about charging. Furthermore, relying on the internal battery poses safety risks for a control panel that stays plugged in 24/7, as the battery can swell or bulge if it fails. Regarding the motion-activated screen wake-up feature: I originally used the iPad’s built-in notification-based wake-up method. While functional, there was a delay of a few seconds between detection and the screen turning on—a lag that detracted from the user experience. The Bluetooth keyboard firmware, on the other hand, is excellent; it offers near-zero latency and a very smooth experience.
So is it the HA Companion app you have installed on your iPad? What’s the version of the iPad OS?
The latest version on the Apple App Store