Hi. I’m Nat.

• CS, AA, TA, NOA
• Programming, robots, translation
• www.natguy.net

What's Arduino?

• Microcontroller: miniature computer on a board
• Has processor, RAM, flash memory, EEPROM
• Programmable in C++
• Can also inline AVR assembly
• Easy to connect to other electronics

• Started as student project in Italy in 2005
• Open-source
• Multiple form factors available, with different components
• Popular models include the Uno, Mega, and Mini
• Inexpensive: $25, $46, and $10 for models above

A closer look at Arduino Uno

• 16 MHz, 8-bit CPU
• 32kB flash memory, 1kB EEPROM
• 2kB SRAM
• USB interface
• Easy to connect to other electronics

Connecting to Your Computer

• USB from Arduino board into computer
• Compiled code is sent over and loaded onto flash memory
• Afterwards, can unplug and use without computer
• Similar to game console development

Programming Basics

• Start with setup() function
• Called once when sketch starts
• Used for initializing variables, pin modes, etc.

• Next, add functionality to loop() function
• Loops ad infinitum
• Usually used for main program logic

Simple Example

int ledPinNumber = 3; // LED connected to digital pin 3
int period = 500; // LED on for 500 ms, off for 500ms

void setup()
{
    // Set the LED pin to output mode
    pinMode(ledPinNumber, OUTPUT);
}

void loop()
{
    // Turn on LED
    digitalWrite(ledPinNumber, HIGH);
    // Wait
    delay(period);
    // Turn off LED
    digitalWrite(ledPinNumber, LOW);
    // Wait
    delay(period);
}
        

Let's give it a try!

• Motors and servos
• SD cards
• Audio processing and playback
• LCD screens
• Wireless communication
• Almost any game controller you can imagine

Less Simple Demo

• Robot with Arduino board
• Wheels driven by two different motors
• Infrared sensors

• Want robot to be able to follow black lines
• Line will be directly in the center of robot
• Drive forward, always staying on the line

A closer look

A closer look

A closer look

Let's look at the code!

Other Projects

Simon Says with SNES Controller

• Demo video
• Github repo

ArduCopter

• Demo video
• Official site + store

Shiny Pokémon Getting

• Demo video

Photobioreactors

• Biomonstaaar automated bioreactor
• Grows algae
• Automatically controls heat, humidity, light, etc.
• Controllable via web browser

Anything you want!

Resources

• Initial steps for setting up your board
• Project code examples
• Sparkfun Arduino Buying Guide
• Sparkfun (very user-friendly electronics store)
• Arduino inventor's kit