Arduino is an open-source electronics platform that consists of both a physical programmable circuit board and a software component. It is designed to be easy to use for beginners, yet flexible enough for advanced users, and it runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Arduino boards are able to read inputs from various sources, such as light sensors, buttons, or even GPS units, and can interact with a wide range of devices, including LEDs, motors, speakers, and cameras.
The Arduino project began in 2005 as a tool for students at the Interaction Design Institute Ivrea, Italy, aiming to provide a low-cost and easy way for novices and professionals to create devices that interact with their environment using sensors and actuators. Since then, it has grown into a worldwide community of makers, including students, hobbyists, artists, programmers, and professionals, who have contributed to an incredible amount of accessible knowledge that can be of great help to novices and experts alike.
Arduino is often used by teachers and students to build low-cost scientific instruments, to prove chemistry and physics principles, or to get started with programming and electronics. It has been used in thousands of different projects and applications, from everyday objects to complex scientific instruments. The code for Arduino is generally written in Wiring, which is based on the Processing programming language.
Overall, Arduino is a versatile and accessible platform that allows users to create interactive electronic objects and devices that interact with the real world.
