For Christmas this year, my brother bought me an Arduino Uno and a nefarious-sounding project book. This was not a random gift. I have had the Arduino bug for more than a year, around the time I bought my brother an Arduino development kit for Christmas. I had stumbled upon (possibly through StumbleUpon) several interesting Arduino-controlled projects including the fantastic Daft Punk-style helmet. Many more amazing projects can be found online. Here are some cool lists from Instructables and Hack n Mod.
I supposed I should explain what an Arduino board is. The Arduino Uno is just one of many Arduino boards. In general, Arduino boards are open-source prototyping boards that allow inputs from practically any sensor that can be attached to it. Using the C programming language, the microcontroller can be programmed from the computer. The board can be connected directly to the computer via USB, programmed, and then disconnected to run on its own. It can run on its own or interface with other devices and/or programs, making for endless creative possibilities.
I supposed I should explain what an Arduino board is. The Arduino Uno is just one of many Arduino boards. In general, Arduino boards are open-source prototyping boards that allow inputs from practically any sensor that can be attached to it. Using the C programming language, the microcontroller can be programmed from the computer. The board can be connected directly to the computer via USB, programmed, and then disconnected to run on its own. It can run on its own or interface with other devices and/or programs, making for endless creative possibilities.
My brother had the foresight and kindness to offer me some accessories. You can see everything in the above photo. The bottom shows the Arduino Uno and a little breadboard. The Arduino Uno kit came with the colored wires, a 9V adapter, and a USB cable. My brother threw in a pack of resistors, various capacitors, a pair of potentiometers, some LEDs, shift registers, and some other miscellaneous components.
The project book I received is called 30 Arduino Projects for the Evil Genius, which is not nearly as trouble-making as it sounds. The thirty projects include:
The first project has already been completed and was not exciting. I changed a number in the sample LED flashing program and watched a light on the board blink at a different speed. Having programmed in FORTRAN, C++, Java, and some Python made picking up the Arduino language (C) pretty simple. I would recommending have some programming knowledge before starting an Arduino project, but the books will also walk you through the basics.
I plan on working my way through all thirty projects. Though I do not expect to achieve world domination by Project 30, I think I should have a handle on what I think I might really want to do with my Arduino Uno. I see a guitar effects pedal in the future. I plan on documenting the projects here as I finish them. The next Arduino Report will begin with the second project.
The project book I received is called 30 Arduino Projects for the Evil Genius, which is not nearly as trouble-making as it sounds. The thirty projects include:
- Flashing LED
- Morse Code S.O.S. Flasher
- Morse Code Translator
- High-Brightness Morse Code Translator
- Model Traffic Signal
- Strobe Light
- S.A.D. Light
- High-Powered Strobe
- LED Dice
- Keypad Security Code
- Model Traffic Signal Using a Rotary Encoder
- Pulse Rate Monitor
- USB Temperature Logger
- Multicolor Light Display
- Seven-Segment LED Double Dice
- LED Array
- USB Message Board
- Oscilloscope
- Tune Player
- Light Harp
- VU Meter
- LCD Thermostat
- Computer-Controlled Fan
- Hypnotizer
- Servo-Controlled Laser
- Lie Detector
- Magnetic Door Lock
- Infrared Remote
- Lilypad Clock
- Evil Genius Countdown Timer
The first project has already been completed and was not exciting. I changed a number in the sample LED flashing program and watched a light on the board blink at a different speed. Having programmed in FORTRAN, C++, Java, and some Python made picking up the Arduino language (C) pretty simple. I would recommending have some programming knowledge before starting an Arduino project, but the books will also walk you through the basics.
I plan on working my way through all thirty projects. Though I do not expect to achieve world domination by Project 30, I think I should have a handle on what I think I might really want to do with my Arduino Uno. I see a guitar effects pedal in the future. I plan on documenting the projects here as I finish them. The next Arduino Report will begin with the second project.
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