International Journal of Mechanics, Energy Engineering and Applied Science

(IJMEAS)
VOL. 1, NO. 1, October 2023, PP. 12-18
Online ISSN XXXX-XXXX| DOI prefix: 10.53893
https://journal.gpp.or.id/index.php/ijmeas/index

Development of IoT Based Clothesline using Microcontroller

Muhammad Asyraf Zulkipli1,*, Khairul Huda Yusof1, Almadora Anwar Sani2, Muhammad Auzi
Herizal1,2
1Faculty of Information Sciences and Engineering, Management and Science University, Selangor, Malaysia
2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Sriwijaya, South Sumatera, Indonesia

Email address:
asyrafzulkipli@msu.edu.my
*
Corresponding author

To cite this article:

Zulkipli, M. A. ., Yusof, K. H. ., Sani, A. A. ., & Herizal, M. A. (2023). Development of IoT Based Clothesline using Microcontroller.
International Journal of Mechanics, Energy Engineering and Applied Science (IJMEAS), 1(1), 12–18.. https://doi.org/10.53893/IJMEAS.xxx.

Received: 09 04, 2023; Accepted: 10 06, 2023; Published: 10 10, 2023

Abstract: Sunlight has long been used in daily activities, especially drying clothes. The only concern is sudden rain and people
are not aware that their clothes are still on the clothesline. Due to this, many opt to dry their clothes indoor, which takes longer
to dry. With regard to the aforementioned issue, in this research, Internet of Things (IoT) concept is applied in the production of
automatic clotheslines by the integration of weather monitoring and forecasting with automatic clothesline. This automatic
clothesline has an LDR sensor and a rain sensor to detect light and raindrops in the environment, then the values obtained from
these two sensors are processed by the microcontroller to control the DC motor that can moves the clothes inside and outside
from the sensors system which can be monitored and controled via smartphone using the Blynk app. The outcome of this research
is an automatic clothesline prototype that is accessible through the Blynk app; utilising LDR sensors, rain sensors, and motor to
retrieve clothes.

Keywords: Clothesline automatic, blynk, LDR sensor, rain sensor.

1. Introduction
In the current era of globalization, global changes have housechores. Smart home technologies may include remote
taken place all over the world. The paradigm shift from monitoring and controlling, enabling automation with or
tradition to modernity is acquiring a practical and efficient without user intervention, thus makes managing housechores
approach. Today's modern age refers to technology that is safer, more convenient, efficient, and economical.
increasingly sophisticated and accessible. In addition to Traditional clothes drying relies on the heat of the sun.
technology, modern times are also associated with the However, global warming has brought upon undesirable
discovery and renewal of science and education. To improve erratic weather. Due to erratic weather, sun-dried clothes get
the quality of life, everyone must be able to adapt in various exposed to rain and become wet again if the person is not at
fields in order to adapt to todays increasingly dynamic sphere home. Though clothes can be dried indoor and not exposed to
of life. direct sunlight, they may still be damp for longer period, which
Human lives have become busier along with rapid could affect the quality.
modernization, thus the need for technology to help with Adressing the aforementioned concerns, this study
housechores. Technological advances and innovations proposes a prototype of Internet of Things (IOT)-based
contribute to more effective houseworks, such as robotic automatic clothesline, driven by Arduino UNO. The prototype
vacuum cleaners, air fryers, rice cookers, microwaves, and consists of a light Dependent Resistor sensor to detect light,
washing machines. Novel household innovations have led to a water sensor to detect water droplets, and an ESP8266 wifi
the concept of smart home, by integrating technologies and module to send data to an app called Blynk to control the
appliances to lighten human burden in managing daily clothesline.[1-4]
 October 2023; 1(1): 12-18 13

2. Methods 1. LDR sensor to detects light: If it is dark, the

clothesline goes inside. If the light intensity is high
The research method employed in this study is: to research (bright), then the clothesline is removed.[5]
the material, learn the ropes of work that needs to be done, and 2. Raindrops sensor, which is the main sensor in the
make work tools that can meet needs. The goal of the project automatic drying feature, will detect any presence of
is to build an automatic clothesline drive that could help water droplets. When the sensor is dripped with
retrieve or fetch clothes being dried outdoor. The stages of water, the clothes will be fetched straight in even
work are as follows : though it is hot day.[6]
3. Arduino UNO R3, which is the main microcontroller
and hardware actuator, will receive analog datafrom
the sensors, and consequently give commands.
Arduino UNO will communicate with another
microcontroller, in this case the NodeMCU ESP8266,
by receiving and sending data properly.[7-8]
4. NodeMCU ESP8266, as a backup microcontroller,
serves as actuator using software on the device.
NodeMCU functions as a data receiver from the
mainmicrocontroller, whose results are displayed on
the Blynk application as a form of monitoring.[9]
5. Relay, Motor Driver L298N, and Motor DC function
as a clothesline driver based on the input of the LDR
sensor and raindrops via the Arduino UNO
microcontroller.[10-11]

B. Flowchart of System

Figure 1. Flowchart of Project Activities

2.1 System Design

System design is the process of defining the architecture,

components, modules, interfaces, and information of a system
to meet certain requirements. The system design at the draft
stage includes system block diagrams and system diagrams.

A. Block Diagram

Figure 3. Flowchart of Automatic Clocthesline.

Figure 3 flowchart of automatic clothesline first, dc

motor and relays are connected in series. After successful
connection, data of detection by the LDR sensor and rain
sensor will be sent to Arduino. If the Arduino receives data, it
Figure 2. Diagram Block System. will be retransmitted.[12-13] When data is received from the
Arduino, it is transmitted by the NODEMCU ESP8266. The
Figure 2 above displays the diagram of general idea how driver can also be monitored and controlled via the Blynk
the system works. More detailed explanation is as follows: application [14-15]. If the LDR sensor detects light, the device
14 Zulkipli et al.: Development of IoT Based Clothesline using Microcontroller

sends the clothesline out, and if the LDR sensor does not detect Table 1. Test Results data table from LDR sensors
sufficient light, the clothesline is retrieved. Similarly if the rain
Display on the
sensor is not covered with water, the clothes pole will come out, Average of
and if the rain sensor is covered with water, the clothes pole No Condition measured data Blynk
will be retrieved.[16-17] Application
1 Bright 598.5 Bright
3. Result and Discussions 2 Dark 388.2 Overcast
3.1 Analysis
Table 1 testing on LDR sensor in the first test, the
The automatic dryer test was conducted under different average value measured in bright light was 598.5, then the
simulated conditions, namely sunny, cloudy, sunny but rainy, results shown in the Blynk application show that the weather
and rainy. When tested in sunny conditions, the light source was sunny. In the second test, the average value measured in
(bulb) was set directly above the LDR photosensor at a dark light was 388.2, and then the results is overcast in the
predetermined distance. In cloudy conditions, the light source display . Blynk app showed that the weather was unclear if
(bulb) was purposely dimmed or turned off. In sunny but rainy the average measured data is lower than 450.
conditions, the light source was switched on, with simulated
rain water. In the last test, which was totally in the rain, the 3.3 Rain Sensor Testing
light source (lamp) was turned off, water was sprayed onto the
sensor. From the simulation results, it can be concluded that Tests on rain sensors were carried out to measure the
the microcontroller had worked effectively to manage the response of rain sensors when exposed to water droplets. The
automatic clothesline system according to plan. The sensors, rain sensor was installed on a roof at 130º slope. The purpose
microcontrollers, and motor driver had functioned properly to is that when the rain stops, the water that hits the sensor can
decide whether to send out or retrive the clothesline. flow straight down, so that the clothes will dry quickly after
the rain stops; but in this test, the rain sensor was put on the
roof of the house directly in parallel position to test how
sensitive it would be to rain when water dripped. Here are the
results of the rain sensor test.

Table 2. Table of test result data from rain sensor

Testing on Average of
No Result
rain sensors measured data
1x Water Clothes don't
1 409
Droplets go in
2x Water Clothes don't
2 439
Droplets go in
3x Water
3 613 Clothes go in
Droplets
4x Water
4 695 Clothes go in
Figure 4. Design Automatic Clothesline. Droplets

The finished clothesline design is 1200 mm in length, 500 Table 2 testing on rain sensor this test was done several
mm in width, 1438.82 mm in height (see Figure 4). This times to determine the response of the rain sensor. In the first
prototype using iron for its frame and acrylic for the motor
mount. The micro controller is contained by using a box made test, the rain sensor received 1X drops of water. The average
out of plastic. measured value was 409, and the clothes were not retrieved.
In the second test, the rain sensor received 2X drops of water.
3.2 Sensor LDR Testing The average measured value was 439 and it resulted on the
clothesline not moving, and the clothes were still not retrieved.
The LDR sensor test was tested and monitored using the
In the third test, the rain sensor received 3X drops of water.
Blynk application using a light source (lamp) as a determinant
The average measured value was 613, and the clothes were
of weather conditions. In this test, various conditions had been
retrieved into the house. In the fourth test, 4X drops of water
simulated to validate the expected result. These components
were given to the rain sensor. The average measured value was
are tested to produce data which can be seen in the table below:
695, and the clothes were retrieved into the apartment.
Therefore, if the rain sensor receives a rain intensity
 October 2023; 1(1): 12-18 15

value >500, the motor automatically retracted the clothesline. tested with rain not touching the sensors, the DC motor did not
move the clothes inside but if the rain water wets the clothes,
800 the DC motor moves the clothes inside the house.
Avarage of measured data

700
600 3.5 Blynk App Testing
500
400
300
200
100
0
0 2 4 6
Testing on rain sensor

Figure 5. Test graph on rain sensor

3.4 System-Wide Testing

The purpose of testing the entire system is to find out

whether the automatic drying system that has been designed
can work according to its function. This system was tested to
produce information data or the status of our clothesline
conditions which can be seen in the table below:

Table 3. System-wide Test Results Data Table

Rain Clothing
Condition Ldr sensor
sensor position

1 Dry Bright Outside

2 Dry Dark Outside

3 Wet Bright In

4 Wet Dark In Figure 6. Blynk app (above) in to control the clothesline

automatically

Table 3 system wide testing in this part of the test, full Figure 6 shows the Blynk application, in which the
system test was conducted under multiple conditions. The first clothesline was in automatic condition. The application
condition was set with the rain sensor in dry conditions (not indicates that the clothesline is inside, and the day is raining in
exposed to rain) and the LDR sensor was in bright conditions. sunny weather. In this situation, when the rain sensor detects
The results obtained were: motor did not retrieve/retract the the presence of water, the clothesline will be automatically
clothesline, thus the clothes were still outside the house. The retrieved into the house.
second condition was set with the rain sensor in dry conditions
(not exposed to rain) but the LDR sensor was put in the dark.
The motor did not retrieve/retract the clothesline, so the
clothes were still outside the house. In the third situation, the
rain sensor was set in wet conditions (exposed to rainwater)
and the LDR sensor was put in bright condition. The motor
was activated, so the clothes were retrieved into the house.
Finally, in the fourth condition, where the rain sensor was set
in wet conditions and the LDR sensor in the dark, the motor
was activated to retrieve the clothesline, bringing the clothes
into the house. After tests under four different situations, the
result of the testing system showed that the operating system
of the automatic clothesline worked as desired. The automatic
clothesline system can read the weather from its sensor when
16 Zulkipli et al.: Development of IoT Based Clothesline using Microcontroller

In the Blynk application shown in Figure 8, the

clothesline is in manual state. The application indicates the
weather is cloudy without rain, thus the outdoor clothesline is
in a state where the LDR sensor detects a lack of light.
Therefore, the LDR sensor notifies the Blynk application that
it is cloudy outside. Other than that, if the rain sensor does not
detect water, the motor will not pull the clothes into the house.

Figure 7. Blynk app (above) in to control the clothesline

manually

Figure 7 shows the Blynk application, in which the

clothesline is in manual condition. The application indicates
that the clothesline is outside in sunny weather (not raining).
In this situation, the water sensor surely does not detect the
presence of rain, while the LDR sensor signals the
microcontroller to activate the motor to push the clothesline
with the clothes out of the house.

Figure 9. Blynk Application in the Rain

As shown in Figure 9, the Blynk app indicates that the

clothesline is in manual mode. The application will indicate if
the day is cloudy or rainy. If the LDR sensor detects
insufficient light and the rain sensor detects rain, the motor
will pull the clothesline and clothes inside.

3.6 Time Test On Clothesline Retrieval

Time test on clothesline pulling was carried out to

measure the time of motor to bring out the clothesline to dry
the clothes, and retrieving the clothes. This test was carried out
with various amounts of clothes dried in the sun, in order to
find out how long it would take to move the clothes from under
the sun to its shade box.
Figure 8. Blynk application indicating cloudy weather
 October 2023; 1(1): 12-18 17

Table 4. Data table of time test results of clothesline retrieval Table 5. Distance test for stable on internet connection
No Condition time No Distance (m) Connection Status
1 4 clothes 11.31 seconds 1 1 Connected
2 6 clothes 12.82 seconds 2 2 Connected
3 8 clothes 14.51 seconds 3 5 Connected
4 10 clothes 15.55 seconds 4 7 Connected
5 12 clothes 16.51 seconds 5 10 Connected
6 14 clothes 17.96 seconds 6 12 Connected
7 16 clothes 19.59 seconds 7 15 Connected
8 20 Connected
9 25 Disconnected
Time Test
20 10 30 Disconnected
18
16
14 4. Conclusion
12
Based on the results of this study, several conclusions can be
Time

10
drawn, namely:
8 1. The automatic clothesline can work independently,
6 owing to the sensors assigned to the device, therefore it
4 can decide to bring out or retrieve the clothesline
2 automatically.
0 2. The automatic laundry button can be operated manually
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 using the Blynk app. By pressing the input button, the
Condition clothes can be moved into the house, and by pressing the
exit button, the clothes move out of the house.
Figure 10. Clothesline Withdrawal time chart 3. The data read by the sensors on the device can be sent to
the IoT platform, namely the Blynk app, so that users can
In table 4 the time test for pulling the clothesline was see the status of the cord when the user is not near the
carried out with various amounts of partial load clothes. In the clothesline.
first test carried out with 4 clothes as a load, the result of the 4. In this study, remote control testing had been carried out
pulling time for 4 clothes was 14.51 seconds. In the second via the Blynk application 10 times, with different
test, it was carried out with 6 clothes as loads, so the time distances. At a distance of 25 meters, the Blynk app could
obtained was 12.82 seconds. In the third test carried out with no longer connect with the device.
8 clothes as loads, the results obtained were 14.51 seconds. In 5. In the time test on the withdrawal of clotheslines with a
the fourth test, it was carried out with 10 clothes as a load, the maximum number of clothes, it took 19.59 seconds; it
result obtained was 15.55 seconds. In the fifth test carried out can be concluded that when there is sudden rain, the
with 12 packs as a load, the results obtained were 16.51 driving motor can minimize wetness of clothes.
seconds. In the sixth test carried out with 14 clothes as a load, 6. The results of the automatic clothesline test indicate that
the results obtained were 17.96 seconds. The final test was the clothesline can indeed function automatically, thanks
carried out with the maximum number of clothes on this to the sensors.
automatic clothesline, namely 16 clothes. So the result
obtained is 19.59 seconds. Acknowledgements
3.7 Internet Connectivity Testing The authors fully acknowledge the Ministry of Higher
Education (MOHE), Management and Science University
In this project, NodeMCU8266 functioned to connect the (MSU) Shah Alam, and Politeknik Negeri Sriwijaya for the
device and the cellphone by using a hotspot connection. The support, which makes this important research
purpose of this test was to determine the maximum distance a viable and effective.
hotspot connection can connect to the Node MCU ESP8266.
The test distances for Internet Connection test are listed in the
table below.
18 Zulkipli et al.: Development of IoT Based Clothesline using Microcontroller

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