# IndicatorEye – Detecting indicator lights with a camera and using them in Homey **URL:** \ **Category:** Ideas & Suggestions\ **Created:** [July 19, 2026, 4:43pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/indicatoreye-detecting-indicator-lights-with-a-camera-and-using-them-in-homey/157357 "2026-07-19T16:43:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ObelixNL](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/obelixnl/32/172250_2.png) [@ObelixNL](https://community.homey.app/u/ObelixNL)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 4:43pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/indicatoreye-detecting-indicator-lights-with-a-camera-and-using-them-in-homey/157357/1 "2026-07-19T16:43:23Z")
Hi everyone, I wanted to share a small project idea that I am currently working on and would love to get some feedback from the Homey community. **The idea** We have a camera pointed at a deep fryer. The deep fryer has two physical indicator lights: - **Green light** = the deep fryer is switched on - **Orange light** = the deep fryer has reached temperature The goal is to monitor these lights automatically with a camera and use the detected state inside Homey. So instead of modifying the deep fryer or connecting anything electrically, the idea is simply: 1. Take a snapshot from the camera 2. Look at fixed positions in the image where the indicator lights are located 3. Detect whether the green and orange lights are on or off 4. Expose the result as a small JSON API 5. Use the detected state in Homey Flows _For example:_ - When the **green light** is on, Homey knows the deep fryer is powered on - When the **orange light** turns on, Homey sends a notification that the deep fryer is at temperature **Current prototype** I have started a small project called **IndicatorEye** : [IndicatorEye on GitHub](https://github.com/steffjenl/indicatoreye) IndicatorEye is a lightweight service that can detect fixed indicator lights in a camera image. The positions of the lights can be configured, so it should not be limited to only this deep fryer use case. The idea is that it can run in Docker, for example on a Raspberry Pi, and expose endpoints such as: GET /status GET /homey POST /analyze The /homey endpoint is intended to return a compact result that can be used by Homey or other automation systems. _ **Example concept:** _ ```auto { "success": true, "devices": [ { "name": "green", "on": true }, { "name": "orange", "on": false } ] } ``` **Homey integration idea** I am also working on a separate Homey app for virtual devices: **Homey Virtual Devices** The idea is to use virtual devices as state holders inside Homey. _For example:_ Virtual switch: “Deep fryer powered on” Virtual switch: “Deep fryer at temperature” _ **Then Homey Flows could be created like:** _ WHEN: Orange indicator changes to on THEN: Send notification: “The deep fryer is at temperature” _Or:_ WHEN: Green indicator changes to off THEN: Set deep fryer status to off _ **Why this approach?** _ Many older devices, machines, appliances, UPS systems, pumps, boilers, chargers, or control panels have useful status lights but no API, no smart integration, and no clean way to connect them to Homey. With a simple camera and image detection, those existing indicator lights could become usable states in Homey. _ **Possible use cases:** _ - Deep fryer temperature ready light - Washing machine or dryer status LEDs - UPS or battery status lights - Network equipment status LEDs - Boiler or pump indicators - Alarm panel status lights - Old machines with no smart interface - What I would like feedback on I am curious what the Homey community thinks about this approach. _ **Some questions:** _ Would this be useful as a Homey app or is a separate Docker service + Homey integration better? Should the Homey side use webhooks, polling, MQTT, or virtual devices? Would others use this for detecting fixed indicator lights? Are there existing Homey apps or workflows that already solve this in a clean way? What would be the best Homey user experience for configuring lights and mapping them to devices? _ **My current thinking is:** _ ```auto Camera snapshot ↓ IndicatorEye Docker service ↓ Detect configured light positions ↓ Expose JSON API ↓ Homey reads states or receives updates ↓ Virtual devices / Flows / notifications ``` _ **For our first real-world use case:** _ Green light on = deep fryer is switched on Orange light on = deep fryer is at temperature Homey sends a notification when the deep fryer is ready I would love to hear your thoughts, suggestions, and whether this could be useful for other Homey users as well. ---
**Author:** ![robertklep](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robertklep/32/160628_2.png) [@robertklep](https://community.homey.app/u/robertklep)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2026, 4:51pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/indicatoreye-detecting-indicator-lights-with-a-camera-and-using-them-in-homey/157357/2 "2026-07-19T16:51:51Z")
I typically use a smart plug that has energy monitoring for “dumb” devices, which is how I track if the washing machine is done, or how many cups of coffee I’ve had today. In the case of your air fryer, I would start a timer when its power goes above 0W (assuming that’s how much power it uses when off), then wait for a peak (air fryer warming up), then wait for the power to go down to “temperature maintenance level” (air fryer is at temperature). ---
**Author:** ![ObelixNL](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/obelixnl/32/172250_2.png) [@ObelixNL](https://community.homey.app/u/ObelixNL)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 8:06am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/indicatoreye-detecting-indicator-lights-with-a-camera-and-using-them-in-homey/157357/3 "2026-07-21T08:06:00Z")
I tested this first as well, but the power consumption does not drop significantly once the fryer has finished heating up. It actually takes quite a while before the wattage decreases, although that may be due to the type of fryer being used. That’s essentially the reason why I’m looking into this solution. Thanks for the tip!