WTH: Device Tracker Helper

Create a helper for us to create custom device trackers.

Use case: My ASD son has two iPads and he always takes one with him when he leaves the house. I want to create a helper that shows him away when one of the devices is not on the network. My router provides enough information to detect the devices on the network, but the default person device tracker behavior is t say he is home when one device is present. I want the opposite behavior. Allowing me to create a device tracker helper would give me the control I am after.

In general - currently there is a way:

  1. Assume you have multiple device_trackers associated to some object (human, pet, car, …).
  2. Assume that you can associate all these device_trackers to a “person” entity (imho it is OK for cars & pets) - but you are not satisfied with a result (the “person” entity gets a “state” not as expected by you).
  3. Then create an automation which processes all these device_trackers as you wish - and defines a “state” as you wish (along with latitude, longitude, gps_accuracy); then in this automation create/update a “virtual” device_tracker entity manually by simply calling “device_tracker.see”.
  4. This created “virtual” device_tracker then use as a source for the “person” entity.