Looking for hardware/software experiment ideas.

October 7, 2010 11:46 AM

I want to build some kind of simple hardware/software "thing" using Phidgets or Arduino, those systems that have RFID, sensors of various sorts (light, noise, etc.) , LEDs, and analog buttons, dials, GPS receivers, etc. I'm having trouble coming up with a somewhat simple, cool little experiment that is inspiring enough to spend the time doing. Got any ideas for me?
posted by drinkspiller to computers & internet (4 answers total)

You know, it's hard to say what to do, but I can offer you some sources of inspiration.

1. THE WORLD FAMOUS INDEX OF ARDUINO KNOWLEDGE.

Essentially, it's every useful thing ever posted about Arduino.

2. MAKING THINGS TALK.

A book written by Tom Igoe, who is masterful teacher. It essentially teaches every device you mentioned, and gets you going. Personally, I found the main project to be kind of silly, so I just used it as a guide to getting everything talking to everything else. It was invaluable.
posted by fake at 12:12 PM on October 7, 2010

Maybe a Halloween project? Make magazine is having a DIY Haunts contest. Their blog is a great source of ideas too.
posted by I am the Walrus at 2:15 PM on October 7, 2010

I don't know how simple they are, but I have in my bookmarks a bunch of projects I want to make someday when I finally get around to getting an arduino:

drawdio

Air quality balloons

And probably way too ambitious, but SO cool: Robostool
posted by lollusc at 6:56 PM on October 7, 2010

It would help to know your experience level, but here are some more suggestions.

Beginner: If you are brand new to Arduino, you might try one of the kits out there that walks you through a few simple projects, like blinking a light or running a motor. I used the Experimentation Kit from Adafruit, but there is also the Inventor Kit from SparkFun and others.

Intermediate: If you have some experience and knowledge, you might try building a shield. It is a good way to learn about the hardware, plus you can make some nice reusable components. My suggestions would be the ProtoShield, the Danger Shield, or the LolShield. Each of these provides some nice LEDs and switches that can be used quickly for other projects. Again, there are many more out there.

Expert: A little old, but here is an article with 40 Arduino Projects
posted by I am the Walrus at 11:49 AM on October 8, 2010