Arduino is an open source, electronics prototyping platform. It is based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. The Arduino project started in Ivrea, Italy in 2005. The purpose was to make a device capable of controlling interaction design projects, but at a lower cost than other systems available at the time. The result was a single-board micro-controller. A software suite is also available for programming the board. Arduino single-board micro-controllers are intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone else who is interested in creating interactive objects or environments.http://www.arduino.cc/en

Arduino boards can be bought pre-assembled, or they can be built by the user. Hardware reference designs are available under an open source license, and users are free to customize them to specific needs. The Arduino programming language is based on Wiring and is similar to C++. The Arduino development environment is based on Processing. Together, the language and development environment allow the software running the Arduino board to be customized to specific needs. The board can respond and interact to the environment by receiving input from a range of sensors, and by controlling lights, motors, and other actuators. Arduino based projects can be stand-alone, or they can interact with software running on a computer. http://www.arduino.org/

In the Arduino environment, users can make a runnable program by defining two functions:

setup() which runs the initial settings at the start of the program

loop() which runs indefinitely until an action stops (for example, an LED is switched off)

Additional functions and control structures such as If-Else and Switch Case statements are also available. Users are free to use and modify code snippets and examples from the Arduino website.http://www.freeduino.org/

• Arduino Nano
• Arduino Mini
• Arduino BT
• LilyPad Arduino
• Arduino Fio
• Arduino Pro
• Arduino Pro Mini