The Arduino

[Hatter]

I know I've talked to some of you about this wonderful creation, but for those of you that don't know of it... The Arduino is an 8bit microcontroller that can be used in all sorts of ways.

This thing is great for inventors, arts and designers that want an "easy" solution to creating a project without all of the programming know how.

The models that I am currently playing with are the Duemilanove and the Lilypad. The first one is a prototyping board which is perfect while you're still learning. The Lilypad is a wearable board that can be wired up to wearable components like sensors, switches and LEDs. The connections are made with a conductive thread stitched into the clothing you are working on.

There are some really good videos out there showing what people have made and just how diverse the applications can be.

I'm trying to wrap up a few projects before I post them here, but you can try and get Nix to post some of the project he's be working on, since he's discovered the enjoyment and crack like center of the Arduino.

Wow thats neat, would love to see some of the pics when you decide to post them.

[Hatter]

I'm trying to get more people on board with the Arduino and build a super robot or something.

I hope to have something complete by next week.

[angst]

Here at work they have informal classes taught by employees every once in a while (eg there is a knitting class tomorrow).
A couple of months ago some guy was teaching the programming side for one of these. He is a hobbiest for it and very excited (he was an older gentleman too).

[Hatter]

I don't think my work could ever pull off informal classes. Too much ADD running around.

What was your take on the Arduino demo? The programming side is pretty cut and dry, if you want an LED to turn on, you tell it turn on.

[angst]

I did not get to stay throughout the class. I just helped prep it.