An Indian man working away from home has found an unusual way to remain close to his mother, and his idea has caught attention online. Instead of relying on repeated calls during a busy day, he has created a setup that lets the two stay connected without having to stop what they are doing.The idea has a simple purpose, but the technology behind it makes the arrangement quite different from an ordinary video call. A post explaining how it works has now prompted people online to discuss everything from AI to staying connected with family.
An old laptop became the key to the setup
Harsh Savergaonkar shared details of the arrangement on X. He said he placed an old Linux laptop and a large screen on the dining table at home.“Leaving mom for work was the hardest this time. So I set up an old Linux laptop with a big screen on our dining table that stays on a video call 24×7,” he wrote.The screen remains part of the home while Savergaonkar works away from it and his mother carries on with her own work.
Claude helps when the technology fails
Savergaonkar said he used Claude to write scripts for the setup. These scripts are designed to reconnect the video call if the laptop or browser crashes.They also try to restore the connection when the Wi-Fi goes down.If the laptop is switched off, his mother can turn it back on herself.“If it gets switched off, she just presses the power button and I’m back,” he added.
They do not spend the day talking
The setup does not require constant conversation. Both can focus on their own work while remaining visible on the screen.Savergaonkar said he was working and eating somewhere over Iceland while his mother remained at home.“We’re not even talking, but every now and then she looks up and I’m there, and I look up and she’s there,” he wrote.
What happens when she wakes up at 3 am
Savergaonkar shared another detail that gave the setup a more personal side.When his mother wakes up around 3 am to get some water, she can see him working on the screen. She can say hello before returning to bed.“Thank you, technology,” he concluded.
People online praise the idea
The post received several positive reactions, with some users also asking whether the setup could be shared with others.“Is it on GitHub? Open-sourced? Love the idea!” one user asked.“Moms deserve tech support too,” another commented.“This is beautiful, man! It’s tough living alone in another country, and kudos to you for going on!” another person wrote.Others asked Savergaonkar to explain how he built the system, while one user called it “super cool”.Some people also suggested possible additions, including a notification when his mother appeared on camera, particularly if she woke up at an unusual hour or if neither of them had said hello for some time.One user questioned the need for such a setup and asked, “Great idea! But why not a CCTV or a baby cam?”Disclaimer: This article is based on a social media post. The views and claims expressed in the post are those of the individual who shared it and have not been independently verified by The Times of India.Thumb image: Instagram