Awesome Arduino Hacks and Creations

Arduino is a highly customizable electronics microcontroller board-based physical computing platform used by technological designers and artisans; the hardware, software and integrated development environment (IDE) are open source and the system is meant to be used by artists and hobbyists seeking to design interactive creations. Since experimentation and development are highly encouraged, Arduino systems have been used to make some amazing hacks and interactive devices.

What is Arduino?

Arduino microcontroller boards are inexpensive and open source. They are widely available for sale in many countries or globally through online retailers. The boards can be used to create interactive devices because they are able to handle multiple sensory inputs and multiple outputs. Arduino can activate lights, motion servos, motors or any number of actuators and can be used in standalone projects, or interact with software on your computer. While the system is admittedly similar to other microcontrollers and their platforms, but the creators of Arduino take pride in its customizability and low cost. Arduino is also one of the few boards that works across all of the major operating system platforms: they can be used and with Windows, Mac and Linux without complications. Arduino boards come in a variety of sizes and structures for different uses. Most are used for breadboarding, or experimenting with circuit design. Some models feature USB connection, wireless connectivity or Bluetooth. Instructions and tutorials are widely available online, and the Arduino site itself hosts interactive forums and a digital “playground” for designers. The Arduino Playground is a Wiki where all users can come together to share their developments and research using the project development materials.

Textile Art with the Arduino LilyPad

Arduino’s LilyPad I/O is unique because it is designed to be used in wearable projects, and it can be sewn into fabric. It is used by designers to create interactive effects in small objects, textiles and accessories. Interactive clothing, like a jacket that can be used to play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and accessories, like a knitting bag that remembers patterns, can be created using the small, lightweight board.

Power Laces

Remember the scene in Back to the Future 2 when Marty McFly slips on his sneakers and they automatically lace up? Power laces can step out of science fiction and onto your feet with Power Laces, an Arduino-based project by Blake Bevin that recently achieved its funding on Kickstarter. Hopefully this means that everyone will be wearing a pair of self-powered shoes by 2015.

Secret Knock Detecting Door Opener

Combining designs from other developers in the DIY community, BFarn created a garage door opener that responds only to a secret knock. A mechanical iris opens to reveal a pressure-sensitive plate inscribed with the Latin phrase, “Petite, et dabitur vobis, quaerite, et invenietis pulsate et aperietur vobis”: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. A pre-programmed sequence of knocks on the plate allow entry to the space within.
web.me.com/bfarn/Secret_Knock_Detector/Secret_Knock_Detector.html

Twitter Powered Robot Butler

Imagine if you could send a simple Twitter message on your way home and arrive to find your robot has carried out your command. That is exactly the idea William Self had when he designed this concept. After receiving the message, his Coppa Robot pops and delivers a bowl of popcorn in preparation for the movie requested. The integration of mobile technology, social networking and physical computing comes together in a fun, personal service robot. Threepio and R2-D2 can’t be far behind.
williamself.wordpress.com/2009/02/28/this-video-has-a-twittery-touch

Automatic Cat Feeder

It looks like humans aren’t the only masters that robot butlers will be forced to serve in the not-so-distant future; Damon Kohler created an Android-based scheduled and on demand feeding system that uses an Arduino to trigger a relay circuit to release the food. The system is activated by Bluetooth and the attached phone even supports a webcam feed.
www.damonkohler.com/2010/11/android-automated-cat-feeder.html

Tron Legacy Light Show

Kim Pimmel created an incredible stop motion photo piece set to music from the Tron Legacy movie. Using Arduino controlled motors and various types of lights set to work on a turntable, he filmed an incredibly lush visual art piece that blends art and technology.