This project mimics a USPS mail box just in opposite manner. Here it rises a flag once an email is received. This is how it works: Arduino placed on a custom box is paired with LCD screen where you can read email messages and even reply to them with wet of buttons. Arduino drives servo motor where flag is attached on a shaft. From software side there are two parts – Arduino program that communicates to PC using USB and Python script interfacing with email server.

The only requirement is that email server would support pop access. This is a great project to have on your desk. Well, if you have loads of emails every day it can start annoy you by rising flag frequently…