Tero Karvinen - Make: Arduino Bots and Gadgets: Six Embedded Projects with Open Source Hardware and Software

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Important Message to Our Readers: The technologies discussed in this publication, the limitations on these technologies that technology and content owners seek to impose, and the laws actually limiting the use of these technologies are constantly changing. Thus, some of the projects described in this publication may not work, may cause unintended harm to systems on which they are used, or may not be consistent with current laws or applicable user agreements.

Your safety is your own responsibility, including proper use of equipment and safety gear, and determining whether you have adequate skill and experience. Electricity and other resources used for these projects are dangerous unless used properly and with adequate precautions, including safety gear. These projects are not intended for use by children. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book,

O'Reilly Media, Inc. and the authors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Use of the instructions and suggestions in Make: Arduino: Bots and Gadgets is at your own risk. O'Reilly Media, Inc. and the authors disclaim all responsibility for any resulting damage, injury, or expense. It is your responsibility to make sure that your activities comply with applicable laws, including copyright.

In the early days, embedded systems were built primarily by engineers in a pretty exclusive club. Embedded devices and software tools were expensive, and building a functional prototype required significant software engineering and electrical engineering experience.

With the arrival of Arduino, the open source electronics prototyping platform, things are cheaper and easier. The hardware is inexpensive (around $30), the software is free, and the Arduino environment is designed for artists, designers, and hobbyists rather than engineering professionals.

The ultimate goal of this book is to teach you how to build prototypes using Arduino. We'll offer just enough theory to help you apply your new skills to your own projects. You will also become familiar with the logic behind coding and components. We will explain every single line of code and tell you how each component is used. You will learn by completing actual projects, and the knowledge you gain will enable you to further develop your own ideas.

Most books on embedded systems are either so specialized that you need to work within the particular field or too simplistic to be interesting. Books for beginners often just teach you to blindly follow instructions; here, we aim to promote a deeper understanding and a skill set that can be applied more flexibly.

Finally, this book is meant for readers who want to learn how to build prototypes of interesting gadgets, not for those who want to build a dental X-ray machine or a microwave oven. At the same time, you will be able to apply the techniques covered in the book to make prototypes of commercial device concepts.