Done Detector

Modern washing machines signal when their program is finished, but ours did not, so I came up with a simple, single-weekend project to fix that. It may be small, but it solved an immediate, real-world problem.

An enclosed light sensor watches the screen of the washing machine. When the program finishes, the screen turns off; the Arduino detects this and through a relay activates a loud buzzer for a few seconds, letting us know it is time to get the fresh clothes out.