Machine Project

Instructor: Jacob Tonski

Sundays, November 16th and 23rd, 12-3pm
Mondays, Novemeber 17th and 24th, 7-10pm

Sorry, class sold out – email machine@machineproject.com for waitlist for future classes

What is Arduino?

Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It’s intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments. (from www.arduino.cc)

Ardunio makes it easy to learn how to read sensors, control electronic devices, and communicate between various hardware and your computer.

Requirements:

– Laptop (Mac OS X or Windows) with a USB port

Good to bring:

– Some experience with a programming language. If you know what if statements and loops are, you’ll be in great shape.
– Some basic knowledge of electric circuits
– A multimeter
– Wire cutters / strippers

Class 1, Nov 16. We will begin with an brief introduction to some basic electrical principles (no math, just how things get hooked up and how lights and lightswitches do their thing). We’ll talk about the role of a microcontroller (such as an arduino board) in an electronic circuit. Once everyone has the arduino development software up and running we’ll start controlling LEDs or tiny motors by writing some simple code.

Class 2, Nov 17. We’ll connect switches and knobs to the arduino, then learn how to control higher powered devices, from larger and fancier motors to household appliances (home automation here we come!) Then we’ll begin learning how to make arduino and your computer programs talk to each other.

Class 3, Nov 23. We’ll get information from sensors, and see how to make some sense from that information by filtering it. We’ll send that data to a small Processing program running on your laptop, and then use that program to control some devices connected to the arduino.

Class 4, Nov 24. We’ll make sure everyone has mastered everything we’ve covered and try to put it all together in a small final project so you’ll have something to show off. We’ll also spend a little time talking about slightly more advanced concepts (e.g. I2C, bluetooth) to give you a starting point for your next steps.