GoKawiilHome Assistant hobbyist builds UWB-based bin-tracking system called BinRange
A developer who already used Home Assistant to track bin collection schedules built a new project called BinRange to detect whether bins had actually been moved. The system uses a fixed ultra-wideband radio anchor, six battery-powered tags attached to wheelie bins, a 3D-printed enclosure, custom firmware with wireless updates, and integration with Home Assistant to combine location data with collection schedules. The build followed an earlier, less successful attempt using Bluetooth tags and a proxy, and was developed with heavy use of AI coding tools including Codex and Astra.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The project illustrates how falling costs and improving accuracy of ultra-wideband radio, popularized by Apple's AirTags, are enabling hobbyists to build precise location-tracking systems for everyday objects beyond consumer tags. It also reflects a broader trend of developers using AI coding assistants like Codex to rapidly prototype hardware-software projects, suggesting such tools could lower the barrier for complex home-automation builds for non-experts as well.
- BinRange combines UWB radio anchors and tags with Home Assistant to confirm whether bins have physically moved, not just schedule reminders.
- An earlier Bluetooth-tag approach failed due to battery drain and unreliable proximity readings, prompting the switch to UWB technology.
- AI coding tools, including Codex and the newer Astra, were used extensively throughout the project's development.
ESP32-UWB DW3000 development board — If you're inspired to build your own precision bin-tracking setup with Home Assistant, a DW3000-based UWB dev board is the perfect starting point for hands-on ranging experiments. These modules give you the same centimeter-accurate positioning tech behind AirTags, letting you build reliable presence detection without the battery drain and flaky proximity readings of Bluetooth tags.</br>
See ESP32-UWB DW3000 development board on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: sjg.io, 2026-10-03
Published there as: “Surely you have ultra-wideband radios on your bins too?”
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