Arduino Products

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I received an Arduino Uno for Christmas. I'm currently writing a program (what they call a "Sketch") to convert keystrokes to Morse Code in real time. Fortunately, there are dozens of people who have posted similar efforts online. I can learn from them, and possibly improve on them, as well. Here's a quote from the page I linked to above:

So, I'm starting all over again in learning a new piece of hardware and the programming language that runs it. Fortunately, the language is not too far removed from the 'C' family of languages.

If you have or are using Arduino products, please post a short description of the applications you are using, and the specifications of your product.

(PS: I selected "Other" in the attached poll because I just got the device.)

I recently purchased an Australian made Uno clone. Mainly got it to learn Arduino programming as I'm keen to build a quadcopter. I'm using the Visual Micro plugin for MS Visual Studio to program as I'm comfortable with VS and it gives code completion etc. Haven't done much with it yet as the kit I bought only came with a couple of components and sensors.

I got an Uno a few months ago. I've done basic projects such as LEDs, dc motors, and 8ohm speakers, I'm not at the point where I think up my own projects, I just follow the instructions.

Many 'serious' electronics people sneer at the Arduino but I think it fits a very useful niche. I could probably design and build some equivalent hardware in a day (electronics design work is part of my job) but even so I sometimes use them because they are quick and simple to use.

It is C/C++ with a whole bunch of useful libraries. That 'sketch' business is just a weirdness of the Arduino IDE. It just mashes the sketches together and compiles them using the GCC C++ compiler. I generally use the Arduino libraries but with the Code::Blocks IDE. I personally much prefer Code::Blocks and it gets me back to using standard C++ syntax.

I was obsessed by tricopters and quads a year or so back. I wrote a complete multi-tasking operating system to run on an Arduino Mega to do it. The final result had full self leveling (gyros and acceleromters) and even had a compass. It also had a barometer for altitude control but I never got that bit working very well. I started on adding GPS before I lost interset.

I don't think I've flown any of my quads in the last 6 months or so. I hate it when obsessions suddenly end...

I use it. One project is an accessible communication interface for nonverabal people with cerebral palsy. Some actuators are salvaged from old computer mice, which are actually a lit better for this applications than light based actuators, unless you want to pay top dollar.

I think it is great for prototyping. I have used other systems, but none this convenient.

I remember when flash was brand new. it was a bit more complicated to 'blow' the chip as it was called. It is funny they used the phase because usually the last think you want to do is blow the chip.

if you are an electrical engineer you might not rate it, from the point of view of mechatronics, embedded system, product design it is ace. Though I think it is personal taste. proof of concept, meas to an end sort of thing.

My PLC class starts on monday, once we get into things, I'm going to bring my arduino up there and try to mimic a PLC's behavior with it.