Want to build your own robots, turn your ideas into prototypes, control devices with a computer, or make your own cell phone applications? It's a snap with this book and the Arduino open source electronic prototyping platform. Get started with six fun projects and achieve impressive results quickly.
Gain the know-how and experience to invent your own cool gadgets.
With Arduino, building your own embedded gadgets is easy, even for beginners. Embedded systems are everywhere—inside cars, children’s toys, and mobile phones. This book will teach you the basics of embedded systems and help you build your first gadget in just a few days. Each learn-as-you-build project that follows will add to your knowledge and skills.
Experiment with Arduino, the popular microcontroller board
Build robots and electronic projects with easy-to-follow instructions
Turn your ideas into working physical prototypes
Use Android phones as remote controls in your projects
Work with an uncomplicated programming language created for artists, designers, and hobbyists
Get everyone involved, with projects that even beginners can build
Chapter 1 Introduction
Building Philosophy
Reusing Parts
Buying Components
Useful Tools
Electronic Circuit Theory Review
Chapter 2 Arduino: The Brains of an Embedded System
Why Arduino?
Starting with Arduino
Hello World with Arduino
Structure of "Hello World"
Arduino Uno
Arduino Nano
Chapter 3 Stalker Guard
What You'll Learn
Tools and Parts
Solderless Breadboard
Jumper Wire
Ping Ultrasonic Sensor
Vibration Motor
Combining Components to Make the Stalker Guard
Making the Motor Vibrate
Providing Power from a Battery
What's Next?
Making an Enclosure
Chapter 4 Insect Robot
What You'll Learn
Tools and Parts
Servo Motors
Constructing the Frame
Programming the Walk
Avoiding Obstacles Using Ultrasound
What's Next?
Chapter 5 Interactive Painting
What You'll Learn
Tools and Parts
Resistors
LEDs
Detecting Motion Using Ultrasonic Sensors
Moving Images
Installing Python
Hello World in Python
Communicating over the Serial Port
Displaying a Picture
Scaling an Image to Full Screen
Changing Images with Button Control
Gesture-Controlled Painting in Full Screen
Animating the Sliding Image
Connecting Arduino with Processing
Processing Code for the Painting
The Finished Painting
Creating an Enclosure
Building a Frame
Chapter 6 Boxing Clock
What You'll Learn
Tools and Parts
Android Software Installation
Creating a Boxing Clock in Android
What's Next?
Chapter 7 Remote for a Smart Home
What You'll Learn
Tools and Parts
The Relay: A Controllable Switch
Hacking the Remote Control
Controlling the Arduino from the Computer
Creating a Graphical User Interface
The Finished Remote Control Interface
Creating an Enclosure
Chapter 8 Soccer Robot
What You Will Learn
Tools and Parts
Continuous Rotation Servos
Modding a Standard Servo into a Continuous Rotation Servo
Tero Karvinen teaches Linux and embedded systems in Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, where his work has also included curriculum development and research in wireless networking. He previously worked as a CEO of a small advertisement agency. Tero's education includes a Masters of Science in Economics.
Kimmo Karvinen works as a CTO in hardware manufacturer that specializes in integrated AV and security systems. Before that he worked as a marketing communications project leader and as a creative director and partner in advertisement agency. Kimmo's education includes a Masters of Art.
Comments about O'Reilly Media Make: Arduino Bots and Gadgets:
For anyone looking for a good step-by-step process of how to create any of these given projects, this is an excellent book assuming you know about programming in Arduino. It assumes you know about Arduino but if you don't know Python, don't sweat, it goes over the basics to get you going. The beginning of the book gives you a good set of requirements to know what to expect from the book as well as what the authors expect from a reader. They even tell you the best way to read the book. Then they go into a list of what you should have to be able to complete the projects in the book. The parts are listed out in each project but the first chapter tells you what you should have to help you build the projects and is a handy reference for anyone looking to do DIY work. The projects included in the book are good for a wide variety of people. If you're only interested in one project, you might not be all that interested in getting the book but if there is more than one that you might consider putting together, it's a worthwhile investment. I was especially intrigued by the interactive painting project as it interfaced with Python and the smart home project as I had considered doing that myself before I even ran across the book. What I find to be the best point of this book is the pictures in each chapter. I received the pdf version of the book and every picture is in full color and good quality unlike many other books I have gone through. When I went through the book, I was really taken back by the pictures and that really added to the experience of going through this book and will be handy reference in the future. I highly recommend this book to anyone who may be interested in more than one of these projects. You may be able to find some plans or come up with your own for free but if you don't know where to start or want step-by-step directions, this is a great book to get you going.
Disclaimer: This book was received as part of the O'Reilly Blogger Review Program. All comments represent my thoughts and opinions.
