After I posted an introduction to electronic components, a couple of readers commented about their interest in the Arduino programmable microcontroller platform.
Arduino is an inexpensive way to build custom programmable circuits.
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Arduino is a tool for making computers that can sense and control more of the physical world than your desktop computer. It’s an open-source physical computing platform based on a simple microcontroller board, and a development environment for writing software for the board.
For a longer intro, check out Arduino’s introduction page.
You can typically get started for as low as $20-$30. That’s how much a full-sized Arduino UNO will cost you. But there are many other models, and since Arduino is an open source platform, there are quite a few adaptations and varied designs by other board makers.
Arduino Day is Saturday, March 28th, 2015
Sparkfun – one of my favorite places to buy Arduino boards and random electronics and robotics tidbits, has released details about their upcoming Arduino Day sale.
Sparkfun’s promo looks to be quite good. Last year I bought quite a few of their Redboards – Sparkfun’s self-branded and manufactured Arduino-compatible boards – and might do the same this year if I have a chance.
This year, they’re selling Arduino UNO boards (highly recommended for beginners) for $20. Regularly priced, the SMD version is typically $30, the DIP-packaged one is $25. Right now, it’s $26 on Amazon.
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There are even better deals on Sparkfun’s RedBoards ($15 each, reg. $20), slim Arduino Pro boards ($10 each for the 3.3V and 5V versions, reg. $15), and Arduino Pro Mini boards ($7 each for the 3.3V and 5V versions, reg. $10). There are additional items on sale, such as shields (Arduino add-on circuits and accessories), and prototyping accessories.
It took a while for Sparkfun’s production to be able to fulfill sales orders last year, and this year’s promo prices are valid while supplies last. Some aren’t in stock right now, but will be in stock Saturday for the sale.
Arduino’s international store will also be running a 10% discount.
Pololu has already announced their weekend-long Arduino Day sale as well. They’re discounting their Arduino-compatible A-Star microcontrollers and shields, and a couple of other things, by 30% to 50%. If you don’t know which to buy, start off with the A-Star 32U4 Prime SV, which is their new Arduino-compatible board.
Know of another deal worth mentioning? Please let us know!
Joey
I will have to tell my dad about this. He started using these while working last year before his company shut down. He’s continued using them, and is even working on making an in-home programmable cnc machine.
It’s amazing what can be done with these.
Benjamen
The Microcenter near me in the burbs of Minneapolis carries a ton of electronics like Arduinos, RaspberryPis, tons of shields, sensors, other electronic components and tools.
They carry a Arduino Uno knockoff for $10 and a Arduino mini knockoff for $8. The mini doesn’t have USB, you need the programming cable.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uNa8sBUvC4o/VRWvXXFIGSI/AAAAAAAAHJ8/wQK36PccGO8/w681-h908-no/IMG_20150306_111047.jpg
and
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r__RF7txwZM/VRWvmJQfcQI/AAAAAAAAHKI/JixKQ2GO1Kw/w681-h908-no/IMG_20150306_111019.jpg
Stuart
Knockoffs and derivations aren’t always the best way to go for beginners. I have two Geekduinos from Trossen Robotics, and they always manage to crash my computer’s com ports. This has never happened to me with Arduino and Sparkfun boards.
Joe M
This is going to sound weird… but, what, exactly, makes this “Arduino Day”?
Stuart
“Arduino Day is a worldwide celebration of Arduino’s birthday. It’s a 24 hours-long event –organized directly by the community, or by the Arduino team– where people interested in Arduino get together, share their experiences, and learn more.”
So I guess it’s a Saturday that celebrates the anniversary of the product family’s launch a few years ago. I know there’s a lot more to it, but I just see it as an Arduino and supporting electronics discount day.
don
I heard about Arduinos for the first time just now. I heard a bit about what it might be, where I can get one, what to expect to pay for one and what field (electronics) they’re employed in.
Can you explain (on a practical level) what the darn thing does? How does it interact with the real world?
Does it finish cement, apply paint, apply or measure torque?
Joe M
Technically, your answer is “Yes.” Arduino is a tiny micro-computer board with an open standard. If you have enough know-how to program in its language, you can make it do pretty much anything. Including run a Robot, which means you can probably build a robot to do any job you want it to, and the Arduino controller device would act as the brain. As long as you know how to do it, you can attach all sorts of sensors, servos, and other electronics to an Arduino controller. Some of them come pre-built with a specific set of devices in mind, like Bluetooth, WiFi, USB, IR control… The list goes on and on.
don
So, it could be set up as an actuator for devices performing multiple coordinated functions?
Joe M
If you can program it, yes.
Stuart
It’s got inputs, outputs, and a couple of communication protocols.
You can use them to create a light show in your basement, control a small robot, log the temperature in your garage, and so forth.
It’s not about what an Arduino can do, but what you can use it to do. A search for “Arduino project” or similar (https://www.google.com/search?q=arduino+project&tbm=isch) might help you get a feel for how people have used these boards.