I recently came across an interesting project where someone used a NodeMCU (ESP8266) and accelerometers to automate their laundry room. This setup allows them to monitor the washer and dryer cycles without relying on sound sensors, which can be unreliable. The idea is to use accelerometers attached to the appliances to detect when they are running or idle.
The process involves attaching accelerometers to the back of the washer and dryer and using magnetic reed switches on the doors to detect whether they’re open or closed. The data from these sensors is then sent to an MQTT broker, which integrates with Home Assistant. This integration enables the system to notify the user when a cycle completes and even adjust the lights in the house to indicate when it’s time to unload the laundry.
What’s particularly impressive is how this setup avoids false triggers by analyzing the acceleration data to determine precise thresholds for when each appliance is running. This level of customization ensures reliability, which is crucial for a seamless smart home experience.
If you’re looking to automate your laundry room or any other part of your home, this project serves as a great example of how creativity and a bit of tinkering can lead to practical and efficient solutions. I’d love to hear if anyone else has implemented similar automation or has tips for improving such setups!