This book is your introduction to to physical computing with the Arduino microcontroller platform. No prior experience is required, not even an understanding of basic electronics. With color illustrations, easy-to-follow explanations, and step-by-step instructions, the book takes the beginner from building simple circuits on a breadboard to setting up the Arduino IDE and downloading and writing sketches to run on the Arduino. Readers will be introduced to basic electronics theory and programming concepts, as well as to digital and analog inputs and outputs. Throughout the book, debugging practices are highlighted, so novices will know what to do if their circuits or their code doesn't work for the current project and those that they embark on later for themselves. After completing the projects in this book, readers will have a firm basis for building their own projects with the Arduino. Written for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of electronics or programming Filled with detailed full-color illustrations that make concepts and procedures easy to follow An accessible introduction to microcontrollers and physical computing Step-by-step instructions for projects that teach fundamental skills Includes a variety of Arduino-based projects using digital and analog input and output

Learn the basics of using the micro: bit, an open source hardware ARM-based embedded system used to teach computer programming, to build a series of 10 different gadgets from scratch! You'll use the micro: bit to make: a scrolling name tag, animated LED displays a high-tech compass. a handheld tilting game with a buzzer and saved high score a carnival-like strength tester a powered cooling fan helmet an electronic musical instrument a security system that sends alerts to your computer when someone enters the room. a wheeled robot an alert to water your plants You will learn how simple electrical devices like speakers, motors, buzzers and fans work. You'll understand electronic components like resistors, force resistors, photoresistors, LEDs, and Op Amps, as well as Infrared distance sensors and soil moisture sensors. You'll also get a beginner's look at micropython, one of the fastest-growing computer languages. In this book you will combine multiple disciplines -- electronics, programming, and engineering -- to build a series of successful gadgets. Everything is explained with lots and lots of full-color line drawings. No prior experience is necessary. You'll have fun while you learn a ton!