Arduino Workshop

The Arduino is a cheap, flexible, open source microcontroller platform designed to make it easy for hobbyists to use electronics in homemade projects. With an almost unlimited range of input and output add-ons, sensors, indicators, displays, motors, and more, the Arduino offers you countless ways to create devices that interact with the world around you.

Arduino Workshop, you'll learn how these add-ons work and how to integrate them into your own projects. You'll start off with an overview of the Arduino system but quickly move on to coverage of various electronic components and concepts. Hands-on projects throughout the book reinforce what you've learned and show you how to apply that knowledge. As your understanding grows, the projects increase in complexity and sophistication.

Among the book's 65 projects are useful devices like:

  • A digital thermometer that charts temperature changes on an LCD
  • A GPS logger that records data from your travels, which can be displayed on Google Maps
  • A handy tester that lets you check the voltage of any single-cell battery
  • A keypad-controlled lock that requires a secret code to open

    You'll also learn to build Arduino toys and games like:

  • An electronic version of the classic six-sided die

  • A binary quiz game that challenges your number conversion skills
  • A motorized remote control tank with collision detection to keep it from crashing

    Arduino Workshop will teach you the tricks and design principles of a master craftsman. Whatever your skill level, you'll have fun as you learn to harness the power of the Arduino for your own DIY projects.

Info:

  • Author: John Boxall
  • Publisher: No Starch Press
  • Paperback: 370 pages
  • ISBN-10: 1-59327-448-3
  • ISBN-13: 978-1-59327-448-1

Tags

Arduino Workshop Product Help and Resources

Core Skill: Robotics

This skill concerns mechanical and robotics knowledge. You may need to know how mechanical parts interact, how motors work, or how to use motor drivers and controllers.

1 Robotics

Skill Level: Noob - You will be required to put together a robotics kit. Necessary parts are included and steps will be easy to follow. You also might encounter basic robotics components like bearings, mounts, or other hardware and need a general idea of how it goes together.
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Core Skill: Programming

If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.

2 Programming

Skill Level: Rookie - You will need a better fundamental understand of what code is, and how it works. You will be using beginner-level software and development tools like Arduino. You will be dealing directly with code, but numerous examples and libraries are available. Sensors or shields will communicate with serial or TTL.
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  • I have this book on my Kindle. It's an exceptionally well-written book. There's a lot of Arduino books out there. I believe that this book is one that everyone should have in their library.

    • Like Rob said in the product video, he (honestly) gets about one new Arduino book every week so unfortunately we have to be pretty selective. We both read this book and we even had a person who had never really touched an Arduino before read it as well. The results were very impressive. Needless to say, it's now on the site. :)

  • indigetal / about 11 years ago * / 2

    Just started reading this book and finding it very informative and user-friendly. One question for sparkfun, do you have any starter kits that fit well with this books projects? That would be great!

  • Thanks for your kinds words about the book. If anyone ever has any questions about the contents, hit me up via my website contact page - http://tronixstuff.com/contact-us/

  • What? No free PDF version?!! I kid, I kid.

  • Member #426652 / about 10 years ago / 1

    GREAT arduino book. It explains the code clearly, and the projects in it are really fun to build. I would recommend this to any body interested in arduino.

  • KermEd / about 10 years ago / 1

    This book was absolutely amazing, I just recommended it for the fifth time. And every time I start a complex build I find myself running to it. Absolutely stellar.

  • Member #126357 / about 11 years ago * / 1

    EDIT - After Googling around for this a bit I found this link that does have a parts list! All is well.

    http://tronixstuff.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Arduino-Workshop-parts-list.pdf

    I absolutely love this book. I'm working through the examples with the Arduino Duemilanove and the Starter kit that was offered a few years ago.

    Unfortunately I have to bring working through this book to a screeching halt each time I come across a component that I don't have.

    Unless I'm overlooking it, there is no list of 'Required Hardware' anywhere in the book or on their website (as of today). I cannot imagine how one should proceed without knowing what hardware to have around.

    If anyone has a list compiled somewhere, I would be very thankful!

    Thanks!

  • Member #403458 / about 11 years ago * / 1

    My favorite Arduino book so far. I usually do all my research online, but really enjoy having this on my desk. The only thing that could make it better is if it was spiral bound.

  • what arduino platform should I have to complete as many projects in this book as possible?

    • NorthernPike / about 11 years ago / 1

      The UNO R3 will get you through most of them. I have this book on my Kindle and I highly recommend it.

Customer Reviews

5 out of 5

Based on 2 ratings:

Currently viewing all customer reviews.

1 of 1 found this helpful:

Best Arduino book I've found

I bought this based on comments I read here, and I'm so glad I did. Well written, easy to follow along and all the tutorials are easy to build upon and take further. More advanced users might not get as much out of it, but if you are just starting with Arduinos, it's a great next step after the SIK.

2 of 2 found this helpful:

buy this book

I bought two books to get started with Arduino about a year ago. This is the only one I needed, great book. And works as a good reference later on.

Also note I picked 5 stars. And the website changed it to 4 - sneaky bastards. And now I can't edit the rating.