The Matrix-style digital rain clock for your desktop

That “digital rain” falling character animation from The Matrix is absolutely iconic. If you love the way it looks, you should build this desk clock by Bob Hammell that features the visualization.

This smallish desk clock shows the time, with a digital rain effect from The Matrix overlaid on top. As the characters fall across the time, they erase the digits. Then, the next minute, the digits reappear with the new time. The process repeats endlessly, but there is a setting to change the color to keep things fresh.

Hammell designed the device around an Arduino Nano ESP32 board, which uses the ESP32Time library to keep accurate time using the ESP32’s internal RTC. The display is a 2.8” TFT LCD with capacitive touchscreen, which enables easy user input and eye-catching visuals.

The “enclosure” is more like a frame that leaves the components visible on a mini breadboard. That is a daring design choice, but it goes with the hacking theme. The frame is 3D-printable and only requires some M3 screws to put together.

This is a great weekend project for anyone that loves The Matrix and is in need of a clock for their workspace.