There are very many cool Arduino projects and project sites in Internet (make Google search to see). Here are some interesting links to check out:
Arduino Projects at indestructables
Top 40 Arduino Projects of the Web
Arduino Rising: 10 Amazing Projects People Are Doing With The Tiny Microcontroller
Electronics For The Everyman: 25 Kick Ass Arduino-Powered Projects
10 Simple-But-Fun Projects to Make With Arduino
Internet of Thing with Arduino
11 Arduino projects that require major hacking skills—or a bit of insanity
I will be posting more links to more interesting projects as comments to this post, like I did in my Cool uses for the Raspberry Pi posting. Some of the most interesting that spend some more time at can get their entire own postings this blog in Arduino section.
3,022 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
CSAIL – MIT’s SprayableTech system lets you create room-sized interactive surfaces with sensors and displays by airbrushing functional inks.
This system enables users to create room-sized interactive surfaces with spray paint
https://blog.arduino.cc/2020/04/11/this-system-enables-users-to-create-room-sized-interactive-surfaces-with-spray-paint/
If you’ve ever thought of adding a user interface to an everyday surface — like a concrete wall, or even a sofa — MIT CSAIL’s SprayableTech system presents a variety of interesting possibilities.
Input elements, such as buttons and sliders, are airbrushed onto a surface like graffiti with a single layer of conductive ink, while electroluminescent displays can be formed by the application of multiple layers with different properties. Spray paint stencils for these interfaces are created with the help of a toolkit integrated into Blender.
https://www.csail.mit.edu/news/sprayable-user-interfaces
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/julius-kramer/robotic-easter-egg-painter-fa526e
Tomi Engdahl says:
IoT Weather Station
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/Kyrpy/iot-weather-station-adbff4
Tomi Engdahl says:
Acoustic Variometer (Ultra Sensible Barometer) © GPL3+
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/zoncatan/acoustic-variometer-ultra-sensible-barometer-259043
As a free flying paragliding pilot, I have finally built my own simple but effective instrument that plays beep-beep during climb and so on.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://blog.arduino.cc/2020/04/08/a-mesmerizing-magnetic-clock-for-your-wall/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Touchless Washing Hands Timer © CC BY
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/rjconcepcion/touchless-washing-hands-timer-8a2b6c
Health authorities recommend washing your hand for at least 20 seconds. This device monitors the time while you washing your hands.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Bossy Is an Open Source Wireless Controller That You Can Build Yourself
https://www.hackster.io/news/bossy-is-an-open-source-wireless-controller-that-you-can-build-yourself-3e461850c157
If you want something more custom than an old Xbox gamepad, Bossy is an open source wireless controller that you can create yourself.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Five years of Raspberry Pi clusters
https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/five-years-of-raspberry-pi-clusters/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.hackster.io/shashankprasanna1/self-sufficient-automated-greenhouse-51dc4a
Tomi Engdahl says:
Giovanni Carrera shares how to read a quad DIP switch using just a single analog pin on your Arduino.
https://ardupiclab.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-dip-switch-for-arduino.html?m=1
Tomi Engdahl says:
This OLED display shortcut keypad uses some clever hardware and firmware tricks to squeeze lots of performance out of inexpensive modules.
The FreeDeck Brings Faster Shortcuts to Your Fingertips!
https://www.hackster.io/news/the-freedeck-brings-faster-shortcuts-to-your-fingertips-470e26acf202
This OLED display shortcut keypad uses some clever hardware and firmware tricks to squeeze lots of performance out of inexpensive modules!
With an Arduino Pro Micro, and 6, 0.96″ I2C OLED displays, you’d think this would be a matter of just pulling in a few stock libraries, and being done with it.
But, let’s look a little more closely at things. There’s got to be some trickery going on, and I say this, because those displays only have 4 pins, which is fine for one of a device, but perhaps not for 6 of the same. Why’s this?
I2C Addressing
These display modules are based on the ever popular SSD1306 display controller. This controller is commonly found on a range of various OLED display modules
Some of these modules can support the variety of serial interfaces the SSD1306 provides, and others, like the ones used here, are hardwired for SPI, or in this case, the I2C functions.
That’s awfully convenient, we can take any of those, drop them into a 4-pin header, and be up and running in next to no time.
But, what if we want to use two of them? Well, it’s I2C, so, we’d usually just change the pull-up/pull-down resistors that are used to configure the controller GPIO lines that are used to configure the I2C address to which the SSD1306 responds.
we can see two potential pitfalls when wanting to run multiple displays.
The ability to change only a single single bit of address allows us only two distinct I2C addresses for this controller on the same I2C bus.
Perhaps more of a stumbling block, is that the D/C# pin is rarely (if ever) bought out to the header of these I2C display modules
the solution to addressing these displays is tucked away in the form of a 74HC4051 multiplexer.
while all displays share a common SDA signal, the SCL signal from the Arduino Pro Micro is routed through a set of 74HC4051 multiplexer ICs.
This is a neat hack takes advantage of the fact that an I2C device will usually ignore all the traffic present on the SDA pin, if it is not fed a SCL signal to clock the data.
The Configurator
Perhaps one of the slickest parts of the FreeDeck project is its Configurator. Bravely hosted by Gosewisch on his own website, the FreeDeck provides a wonderfully simple interface to create and configure the tile sets and their actions.
Allowing you to create pages of buttons to fit your needs, the interface really is a dream to use. You can upload images which are automatically re-sampled to the screen resolution and bit depth.
Configurations are saved as a .bin file, which is places onto a SD card, to be read in by the Arduino sketch running on the Pro Micro, which also takes care of handling the commands mapped to each key.
The Arduino Pro Micro happens to be based around an ATMEGA 32U4, which happens to support native USB connections
FreeDeck turns up as a USB keyboard!
Tomi Engdahl says:
This simple Arduino device is capable of detecting very weak electromagnetic fields… and ghosts?
DIY Ultra Sensitive EMF Detector © GPL3+
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/mircemk/diy-ultra-sensitive-emf-detector-4be895
A simple to build, but very sensitive electromagnetic field detector.
This is a simple device capable of detecting very weak electromagnetic fields. The relative field intensity is displayed on the LCD display and at the same time are given a buzzer sound signalization and LED light signalization. In this case the sensor is a plain copper wire, with a 1.5mm diameter, but you can use any piece of wire or metal tile. Sensitivity can be adjusted via code, and also by changing the value of the resistor connected between A0 and grounding
the circuit is very simple and consists of Arduino Nano microcontroller and several external components.
Tomi Engdahl says:
This Android phone-controlled lighting system will also let you know about the current weather conditions.
Bluetooth Mobile Remote Lamp with Weather Station © CC
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/kutluhan-aktar/bluetooth-mobile-remote-lamp-with-weather-station-37d6c3
Control your room lighting system and display weather information via specifically developed Android app and a uniquely designed PCB.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Solar Powered LED Parking Sensor © CC BY-SA
Park your car with help from the power of the sun!
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/aams86/solar-powered-led-parking-sensor-9dd11d
Tomi Engdahl says:
Simulate a flickering flame with the LED matrix on your MKR RGB Shield: https://bit.ly/2wGiq3c
Tomi Engdahl says:
A new Arduino project from the robot queen in quarantine! Simone Giertz’s proud parent will give you a pat on the shoulder… for 25¢.
I built myself a proud parent
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=M1B3gATS0GE
“I built myself a proud parent because we could all use some more pats on the shoulder. And in case nobody has told you that they’re proud of you in a while: I’m proud of you. Yeah, you! Here’s a pat on the shoulder. Keep the 25¢, this one’s on me.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
Work Logger – Log Your Daily Work with a Turn of a Knob © GPL3+
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/teig/work-logger-log-your-daily-work-with-a-turn-of-a-knob-b43f05
The Work Logger helps you log your daily work without any effort – no more spreadsheets needed.
Tomi Engdahl says:
This Overkill Briefcase Rocket Launcher Means Business
High school student Eddy Robinson made a model rocket controller concealed inside a rugged case.
https://www.hackster.io/news/this-overkill-briefcase-rocket-launcher-means-business-7828c3d89a9a
Tomi Engdahl says:
Arduino-KVM-Switch
https://github.com/nathalis/Arduino-KVM-Switch
This is a fully functional keyboard switch (KVM but while only the keyboard), based on the combination of Arduino UNO + Arduino LEONARDO pro Micro. Arduino UNO sends data from a connected USB keyboard via SoftwareSerial to 2 Arduino LEONARDOs that emulate the keyboard.
Keyboard is toggled with ScrollLock Key. I recommend USB cable keyboard. All SoftwareSerials has baud rate: 38400 (increased to 115200)
Tomi Engdahl says:
This Arduino-Controlled Machine Winds Custom Solenoids
https://www.hackster.io/news/this-arduino-controlled-machine-winds-custom-solenoids-aca8098626b3?9c779f56f336b3c812343434f57b6a0e
YouTuber Mr Innovative assembled an apparatus to wind solenoids automatically according to parameters supplied by the user.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=V7duQAd-BmQ
Tomi Engdahl says:
This mouth mechanism is controlled by your typing
https://blog.arduino.cc/2020/04/21/this-mouth-mechanism-is-controlled-by-your-typing/
Will Cogley, known for his awesome animatronics, has created a robotic mouth that’s already a work of art and could form the basis of something even more amazing.
The device features an array of servo mechanisms to actuate its jaw, forceps, cheeks, and a tongue.
For control, the project uses a Python program to break typed sentences up into individual sounds. It then sends these to an Arduino, which poses the mouth in sequence.
https://blog.arduino.cc/2020/01/17/designing-an-extremely-realistic-animatronic-heart-with-arduino/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Old Atari Paddle Joystick as a Chiptune Sequencer © CC BY
An old Atari Paddle Joystick modified into a chiptune sequencer machine.
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/roni-bandini/old-atari-paddle-joystick-as-a-chiptune-sequencer-2febb4
Tomi Engdahl says:
Your Environmental Data on Arduino IoT Cloud © CC BY-NC
Group all the information collected by a MKR WiFi 1010 + MKR ENV Shield in a single, web-based dashboard.
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/148064/your-environmental-data-on-arduino-iot-cloud-4e29bf
By making this project you will learn how to read the data from the various sensors available on the ENV Shield, and you also learn how to visualize data on the widgets available in the Arduino Cloud.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Build Your Own Arduino-Controlled, Velocity-Sensitive MIDI Keyboard
Plug this 3D-printed keyboard into your DAW and play away!
https://www.hackster.io/news/build-your-own-arduino-controlled-velocity-sensitive-midi-keyboard-7ac0ed6f0665
report that goes through the coding of the keyboard to a google drive, it is just a draft, but it should be good enough
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qfZNau3htHJyUAgli0C-_ge0tW7UBH8m/view?usp=sharing
Tomi Engdahl says:
Can you build an RC remote controller with just an Arduino Uno and a random WiFi module? Element14 Presents finds out!
Episode 443: Arduino Uno RC Remote – Can It Be Done?
https://www.element14.com/community/docs/DOC-94847/l/episode-443-arduino-uno-rc-remote-can-it-be-done
Tomi Engdahl says:
Secret Knock Detecting Door Lock © GPL3+
Unlock/lock the door with a secret knock.
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/San_Ismail/secret-knock-detecting-door-lock-69c573
Tomi Engdahl says:
RepRapable Recyclebot: Open Source 3D-Printable Extruder
A recyclebot, AKA a waste plastic extruder, capable of making commercial quality 3D printing filament.
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/MOST/reprapable-recyclebot-open-source-3d-printable-extruder-ff6a86
Tomi Engdahl says:
Automatic Railway Gate Control System – Circuit & Source Code
https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2020/04/auto-railway-gate-control-circuit-source-code.html
High Speed Auto Railway Gate Controller Circuit Using Arduino and Ultrasonic Sensors
Tomi Engdahl says:
Can’t find a non-contact thermometer these days? Make your own using a Nano and GY-906 temperature sensor.
DIY Arduino + GY-906 Infrared Thermometer © Apache-2.0
Follow this project to make an infrared thermometer by yourself!
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/hardyedela/diy-arduino-gy-906-infrared-thermometer-5881aa
Tomi Engdahl says:
KVM USES MANY ARDUINOS
https://hackaday.com/2020/04/19/kvm-uses-many-arduinos/
One of its more subtle features is the ability to use its serial libraries to handle keyboard and mouse duties. While this can be used for basic HID implementations, [Nathalis] takes it a step further by using a series of Arduinos as a KVM switch; although admittedly without the video and mouse functionality yet.
To start, an Arduino Uno accepts inputs from a keyboard which handles the incoming serial signals from the keyboard. From there, two Arduino Pro Micros are attached in parallel and receive signals from the Uno to send to their respective computers. The scroll lock key, which doesn’t do much of anything in modern times except upset Excel spreadsheeting, is the toggle switch between the two outputs. Everything is standard USB HID, so it should be compatible with pretty much everything out there.
https://github.com/nathalis/Arduino-KVM-Switch
Tomi Engdahl says:
Overly Complicated Bubble Machine © LGPL
Bubble machine utilizing three servos and a DC motor.
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/omfgpwnftw/overly-complicated-bubble-machine-445310
Tomi Engdahl says:
Arduino Uno and Mozzi Drum Machine (+dancing head) © CC BY
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/roni-bandini/arduino-uno-and-mozzi-drum-machine-dancing-head-5a08cb
What can you do in quarantine when all you have is an old Arduino Uno and some knobs? Check out the simple – but still fun – drum machine.
Tomi Engdahl says:
High Speed Auto Railway Gate Controller Circuit Using Arduino and Ultrasonic Sensors: https://bit.ly/2VQZerW
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Game That Learns How to Play Itself © GPL3+
They took our jobs, they will take our fun!
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/Little_french_kev/a-game-that-learns-how-to-play-itself-db13a0
And before getting started, I know how futile and pointless this project is, and that it could also be resolved in a much more efficient way using ‘classic’ control systems such as PID controllers, LQR… But I settled on a neural network as I was actually really interested to see how a neural network would cope with all the drawbacks coming with the hardware (play in the parts, lag in movement, imperfect calibration…)
There is something that fascinate me about AI’s that can interact with the real world. And event though it is just math, it always feels like magic when you see the model learn on its own before your eyes.
For the game and machine learning part I decided to use the game engine Unity coupled with the ML-agents toolkit also developed by Unity
I then proceeded to design a simple arm that would actuate the joystick. I had a few MG-90s servos and an Arduino Nano collecting dust on a shelve so I quickly designed a few parts around those components.
The only thing I was really careful about was to try keeping the pivot point of the joystick aligned with the rotation axis of the servos as this would keep the programming simpler at a later stage…
The next step was to write a simple program for the Arduino that would allow it to control the joystick.
TRAINING.
It was time to start the training process.
Here is an extremely simplified explanation of the steps happening during training.
1 – the AI, let’s call it an agent, looks at the state of the game (observation), here it collects the information directly in game. It looks for the speed and location of the ball and also the angle of the platform.
2 – following its observations it will take an action (move the joystick).
3 – depending on the outcome of this action, it will either receive a punishment if the ball falls (negative score) or a reward (positive score) if the ball remains on the platform, the closer the ball is to the target the bigger the reward is.
The cycle then repeat itself until the AI learns how to take the decisions required to gain a maximum score.
Tomi Engdahl says:
This 16-Year-Old Used an Arduino to Convert an RC Car to Self-Driving
https://www.hackster.io/news/this-16-year-old-used-an-arduino-to-convert-an-rc-car-to-self-driving-b294aee16e54
Boomers often say that technology is souring the minds of the youth. But this self-driving car made by a high schooler indicates otherwise
Tomi Engdahl says:
Electromechanical 7-segment clock made with an Arduino and 28 servos
https://blog.arduino.cc/2020/04/15/electromechanical-7-segment-clock-made-with-an-arduino-and-28-servos/
Digital clocks are often made out of a series of 7-segment displays, which light up to represent the needed numbers. Michael Klements’ electromechanical project, however, doesn’t use LEDs, but instead physically flips 3D-printed segments into view with 28 micro servos.
Tomi Engdahl says:
An awesomely overkill model rocket launch controller
https://blog.arduino.cc/2020/04/28/an-amazingly-overkill-rocket-launch-controller/
Eddy Robinson has spent the last six months building a model rocket complete with a thrust vector control system for stabilization, along with a correspondingly epic launch console. His “extremely overkill” controller is packed inside a rugged case and flips open to reveal an array of buttons, switches, and displays.
Controls include an arm key as well as an emergency stop button in case things go awry. There’s also an assortment of toggle switches, buttons, a 16×2 LCD display for feedback, a DHT11 sensor to ensure ideal conditions, and more.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Arduino Barometer © CC BY-NC
Arduino Stepper Motor Barometer with additional displays for last 3 & 6 hour pressure changes.
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/brettoliver49/arduino-barometer-eb5bdd
Tomi Engdahl says:
From the good news department: The Quetzal-1 team’s Arduino-based CubeSat was put in orbit today! They’ve already shared the dashboard that lets you follow along with its journey: https://bit.ly/2W7dNrO
Tomi Engdahl says:
This Arduino art hack example uses traditional phone so should be very well on topic here. Mattias Jahnke (better known as Engineerish) recently used a pair of Arduino Nano boards to design an art installation, which features a phone that tells you the time whenever you pick it up.
https://www.facebook.com/156088694417458/posts/4511990595493891/
Now do it with Morgan Freeman’s voice
Tomi Engdahl says:
This Nano-controlled clock tells the time using three analog voltmeters: https://bit.ly/3bTz3ro
Tomi Engdahl says:
Arduino ESP32 Crawler Powered by CAN © GPL3+
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/srolf/arduino-esp32-crawler-powered-by-can-18c9d1
A simple Arduino/ESP32 crawler with PS4 BT remote control, but with 2x MCU and an advanced CAN-based communication (“drive-by-wire”).
An Arduino based crawler/tank!? Haven’t we already seen dozens of them? Maybe, but not such a variant. The focus is lesser about the crawler and more about communication between electronic control units (ECUs) based on Controller Area Network (CAN) as used in current automobiles.
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Guide for Parents: How to Learn Electronics and Coding with the Arduino Student Kit
https://blog.arduino.cc/2020/04/30/a-guide-for-parents-how-to-learn-electronics-coding-with-the-arduino-student-kit/
Schools have recently had to make a sudden and seismic shift in the way they teach. As both educators and students get used to remote learning, the onus is now more on parents to support their children through homeschool, and that means parents themselves need support. At Arduino Education, we want to help you and your children by making remote learning experiences as smooth (and fun!) as possible.
Learning electronics and coding at home
As parents to children aged 11-plus, learning electronics and coding with them at home may not be something you’d ever think you’d be doing. But don’t worry, it really isn’t as daunting as it sounds, and electronics and coding skills are crucial in the world your children are growing up in.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.facebook.com/official.arduino/videos/get-hold-of-the-current-time/534124840619974/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Wanted to Feel Typing on Typewriter © MIT
I just wanted to feel typing on typewriter.
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/Teenenggr/wanted-to-feel-typing-on-typewriter-fa6b0b
Tomi Engdahl says:
Reading Text Files From an SD Card (Arduino) © CC BY-NC-SA
This project uses a micro SD card to store a text file and print it out to a 16×2 liquid crystal display.
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/millerman4487/reading-text-files-from-an-sd-card-arduino-9819a0
Tomi Engdahl says:
Logging 2 Electricity Smart Meters Using Arduino Nano Every © GPL3+
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/Torschtele/logging-2-electricity-smart-meters-using-arduino-nano-every-99f934
Data logging from two electricity meters (type “eHZ”) simultaneously and store data (time and value of reading) to an SD card.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/336271/arduino-solar-tracker-41ef82
Tomi Engdahl says:
Smart City of Vukovar – Our View of Smart Living © GPL3+
This magnificent model offers a solution in a greater electricity saving, better use of a solar sun power, and reducing the traffic jams.
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/dsijanovic/smart-city-of-vukovar-our-view-of-smart-living-00101b
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Guide for Parents: How to Learn Electronics and Coding with the Arduino Student Kit
https://blog.arduino.cc/2020/04/30/a-guide-for-parents-how-to-learn-electronics-coding-with-the-arduino-student-kit/