As the preeminent tool for makers, Arduino is a versatile platform that covers almost every type of creative making. With its simple-to-use coding language and fun programming concepts, Arduino enables users to create modern electronics with ease. From beginner level projects like flashing LED lights to more advanced builds such as interactive robots, there are an endless number of possibilities when it comes to building projects with Arduino. Whether you are new or an experienced builder in search of fresh ideas, these posts will provide interesting Arduino tutorials and unique ideas that may spark your creativity and motivate you take on any type of maker project!
This video shows Joseph Melnyk “playing around” with a 256 button Monome. If you are unfamiliar with the open source Monome project check out Monome.org. There isn’t much more about this amazing 256 button Monome, but you can read more about Joseph on his website. If you though that video was cool, check out this […]
From the Make: Flickr pool Most would agree that the safest way to control home lighting is by using the pre-existing wall switch ;) Stuart of Oomlout shares this instructable for dead-simple switch control using Arduino and a mini servo motor. The design uses acrylic plates from Oomlout’s kit but specs to build your own […]
Everybody seems to be messing with Arduino lately. So today was my chance to give it a go. Jimmie Rodgers of Willoughby and Baltic helped me set up the software on my laptop at Noise Night. It was incredibly easy, and he helped me to understand that the IDE for the ‘regular Arduinos’ is different […]
This week I am going to be making the Open Heart kit by Jimmie Rodgers. It’s a great open source kit that uses a technique called Charliplexing for lighting up the LEDs. Why? Charlieplexing allows you to control each LED’s state individually. All you need to do is create a simple program and upload it […]
I like the looks of this electronic compass sensor paired with an Arduino protoshield. It would be fun to drive a servomotor with this data, to create a digital/analog compass.
Another homespun variant of the open source board – this time the design is driven by size with all components mounted on the microprocessor’s back. An impressive feat made a little bit easier by using the Lilypad Arduino variation which lacks acrystal – still way cool. [Thanks, Mook!]
I made this scorpion toy with a Twitchie Robot Kit. I’m really afraid of scorpions where I live in Arizona, so I thought a friendly toy would help me get used to them. I made his plush body from some fabric I had around, aiming to make him look like an Arizona bark scorpion, which are tan/yellowish/translucent. Twitchie is Arduino powered and comes pre-programmed, so it’s an excellent kit for beginners in robotics, because no programming is required! You can download and modify the code if you want, and it’s pretty light on the soldering, too. I’d recommend Twitchie for young makers (boys & girls, too!) interested in robotics or moving plush toys. You can buy the Twitchie Robot Kit in the Maker Shed:
http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKTET2
Music is “At the Crack of Noon” by Shuutobi, http://shuutobi.com
