He named it the Great OpenCV Wash-Up Detector. The device comes with a line of various signals to inform those geeks about cleaning up after themselves. The first execution utilizes a traffic signal to inform the area that there are filthy dished to be washed; illuminating several colours to point out the length of time the kitchen sink has been full. [Tom] additionally plans to incorporate message bursts to the IRC room, as well as air horns once the condition becomes terrible.

As the name indicates, this utilizes OpenCV in order to recognize circles in the sink. A webcam has been installed on top of it directing all the way down, rendering a definite input image that will determine dishes, cups, and so on. [Tom] also wrote several code which disables the device once the lights are switched off.

Naturally, this may teach offenders to abandon the dishes within the counter where the detector can’t discover them.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://hackaday.com/2012/01/16/electronics-that-tell-you-to-wash-the-dishes/

Ryan from New-Zealand send us a nice writeup about his custom-made kitchen computer that apparently made his wife real happy.

Check it out.

Usual disclaimer: Please remember that as with any project involving mains power, make sure you know what you’re doing and  do it safely, or don’t. Also respect your local laws and building code.