Arduino is an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. It’s intended for anyone making interactive projects.
Some interesting projects using Arduino
As I’ve mentioned in a few of my other answers, ‘interesting’ is a subjective term; one man’s fascination is another man’s tedium. Anyway, here are a few projects I read about that looked rather interesting:
An ATMega2560-controlled chessboard that detects your moves and makes it’s own. Using an intricate system of neodymium magnets hidden under the board.
An Arduino-controlled greenhouse, with self-watering plants and windows that open and close automatically depending on temperature and humidity.
Reverse-engineered, self-driving RC cars.
Motion detectors use all manner of sensors in creative ways. Everything from PIRs and photocells to tins of baked beans detect when they’re picked up.
Arduino weather stations.
Arduino Tutorial For Beginners
Stepper motors detect the indoor light level and adjust the blinds accordingly.
In the endeavor of Arduino, two things play a major role and important one.
HARDWARE
SOFTWARE
1. LEARN C++
Estimated time: 2 months (max)
What and how: Know about programming, basic loops, declarations, functions, and most importantly classes and their peripherals. Not like bookworm but like tapeworm learning by practice. I would suggest you schaums c++ outline as a reference book.
2. Arduino language
Estimated time: after learning c++ as above, it takes 10 days( max) to know it. Although you can learn Arduino without dumping your hands in c++ with 1 month (max) you won’t survive too far.
What and how: know about setup, loop, basic “commands” like pinout, pinin, analogous and similar stuff.
Here I would suggest the popular book Arduino cookbook.
HARDWARE
- Basic electronics
Estimated time: 2 months (max), if you free are enough to manage daily 3 hr. Then you do this parallel with c++
(1.5 hr for c++,1.5hr for basic electronics)
What and how : learn about voltage ,current ,resistance,capacitance,inductance,AC,DC,DIGITAL GATES,difference between analog and digital. Moreover, basic and fundamental digital circuits like flip-flops, adder, counters, ADC, DAC, power, power management. Then transistor, diodes, switches, and have an idea about microcontroller and microprocessor (not core detail).
Here I would suggest you surf online and learn from sites. As with Sparkfun etc your need both mathematical skill and practical skill.
2. learn about sensors
Estimated time: unaccountable, you do this by doing practice. Which I don’t think needs a separate timeline it just encounters your inflow.
What and how: while doing the projects. Know about a single sensor at a time with a single project. Here knowing emphasizes both hardware and software parts just practically like a toy. Finally, you get Arduino Tutorial.