Adith Jagdish Boloor - Arduino: Building LED and Espionage Projects

, Arduino by Example , introduces the reader to the Arduino platform. We begin with acquiring the necessary components and installing the software to write your first program and see the magic begin. This module brings in commonly used Arduino-friendly components such as an ultrasound sensor and a small programmable LCD panel, and put them together to create a digital ruler, which is capable of measuring distances using the sensor and displaying them in real time on the LCD screen. In this module, we use basic algorithms that allow the Arduino to translate finger gestures into corresponding characters that are then displayed graphically using software called Processing. We introduce the reader to using PIR sensors or motion sensors, implementing a remote camera with Arduino, and linking the Arduino to a smart phone. Additionally, the reader will learn about Python and how it interfaces with Arduino. This module combines the elements learned in the preceding project with a device that uses a sensor to detect motion at an entry point, which triggers a security camera to take the intruders photo via Bluetooth and sends that image to your smart phone. Some chapters explain connecting the Arduino to the Wi-Fi network using a relay to control an electric appliance and communicating to it using Telnet. We use the Arduino to create a simple home automation system operating within the bounds of the Wi-Fi that would allow the user to control home appliances using a computer, smart phone, and their voice. A few chapters revolve around building a robot dog from scratch. You learn about the Arduino MEGA board, servos, and stand-alone power requirements for the board. This involves using household items to build the chassis of the dog and then completing the circuit using the Arduino MEGA board and a lot of servos. The reader will finally finish building the robot and will learn to calibrate and teach (program) the robot to stand, walk, and play. Also, finally, speech recognition will be implemented so that the dog can actually listen to the user.

, Arduino BLINK Blueprints , presents you with some cool stuff of controlling LEDs and will show you how to control different LEDs with an artistic approach. This module teaches you the basics of IR LEDs and IR communication. Once you have learned about programming an IR sensor, you will use it to control the TV backlight using a remote. We learn about soldering and creating a 4*4*4 LED Cube using the Arduino UNO board. Some chapters show you how to visualize sound using Arduino and then we will develop an LED Christmas tree. We also create a Persistence of Vision wand using an LED array and a motor. A chapter in this module starts with common troubleshooting techniques. We discuss resources that will be useful if you want to do advanced stuff with Arduino.

, Arduino for Secret Agents , is about building an alarm system that is based on the Arduino platform with a motion sensor and a visual alarm. We build a secret recording system that can record the conversations and noises in a room. A few chapters in this module teach you about creating a detector to check whether there are other secret agent devices in a room and an access control system using your own fingerprint. We build a project where the secret agent can open a lock just by sending a text message to the Arduino device and also make a spy camera that can be accessed from anywhere in the world to record pictures in Dropbox when motion is detected. We learn to secretly record any kind of data and log in this data on the Cloud. One of the chapters in this module is about creating a GPS tracker that indicates its position on a map in real time. We conclude this module by building a small surveillance robot that can spy on your behalf.

The primary softwares required are as follows:

We will be using a wide range of Arduino boards, shields, and hardware components. You will find all the details about these requirements in the relevant chapters.