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Ask HN: Most interesting tech you built for just yourself?

1901 points l2silver | 1 comments | 27 Apr 23 15:04 UTC | HN request time: 0.208s | source

Maybe you've created your own AR program for wearables that shows the definition of a word when you highlight it IRL, or you've built a personal calendar app for your family to display on a monitor in the kitchen. Whatever it is, I'd love to hear it.
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moontear ◴[28 Apr 23 07:34 UTC] No.35738557[source]▶
Automatic warning system if I sit too long

I added a pressure sensor to my desk chair (just like the ones built into car seats) and soldered that to a Zigbee door sensor. I now know sitting/not sitting. I then set up push notifications to my watch and desktop if I sit more than one hour to get up and take a walk. Furthermore I connected it to my hight adjustable desk that if it is in up-position and I sit down, it automatically lowers itself to the perfect sitting position. I had to disable the „if I get up, move the desk up“ function because it was just too much movement on the desk end.

I don’t wanna miss the too-long-sitting warning anymore and it is really useful.

replies(2): >>35738590 #>>35738639 #
ano88888 ◴[28 Apr 23 07:39 UTC] No.35738590[source]▶
This is really cool. Apple watch solves this problem though.
replies(1): >>35753153 #
1. moontear ◴[29 Apr 23 14:25 UTC] No.35753153[source]▶
I have an Apple watch and it doesn't for me. The timer isn't as exact as the sensor in the chair (obviously) and if I move a lot (say during meetings and me using my hands), Apple thinks I am getting up from the chair which I am not.

I actually use both: The Apple watch notification as well as my custom push notification to the Apple watch. The more I get up, the better for my health :-)