AS220 Arduino Workshop
September 2009
Description:
Arduino is a microcontroller platform broadly used in the fields of art and
design. It is used in creating all kinds of interactive artifacts, art
installations, and prototypes. Arduino is an open-source electronics
prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It's
intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating
interactive objects or environments.
Arduino can sense the environment by receiving input from a variety of sensors
and can affect its surroundings by controlling lights, motors, and other
actuators. The microcontroller on the board is programmed using the Arduino
programming language (based on Wiring) and the Arduino development environment
(based on Processing). Arduino projects can be stand-alone or they can
communicate with software on running on a computer (e.g. Flash, Processing,
MaxMSP).
This workshop is geared towards anybody who is interested in creating
interactive artifacts using sensors, motors, and other electronic devices. No
previous electronics or programming experience is necessary, we will take you
through the basics and work on some advanced projects such as controlling a
motor and interfacing to your computer. As part of the four week workshop we
give you the opportunity to design an interactive object either on your own or
as part of a group.
Some of the topics we will be discussing:
-
Arduino: microcontrollers, programming environment, basic hardware.
-
Basic Sensor Technology: Sensors
are devices that map physical properties into digital devices.
-
Actuators:
motors, relays, loudspeakers.
-
Communicating with Computers: Send
information from Arduino to a computer and vice versa.
No programming or electronics experience necessary. Bring
your own computer if you want to keep the projects. You will need to purchase an Arduino kit from us as
part of the workshop fee. More details here.
The goal of the workshop is for you to have a basic understanding of microcontrollers and
electronics, enough to enable you to build your own interactive objects.
General Notes and Comments
[10/5/09] Posted the spec sheets for our semiconductors (see below)
[10/5/09] A brief note explaining resistive sensors and
voltage dividers
[9/22/09] A brief note explaining interval scaling in
the optical theremin
[9/14/09] Welcome!
Workshop Notes
Interesting Links
Where to buy Electronic Components (in no particular order)
Getting in touch with me
Lutz Hamel,
email: hamel@cs.uri.edu