What is an Arduino ?

What is an Arduino ?

If you have ever wanted a small gadget to control something with, Arduino is the answer.

The Arduino team have taken a microcontroller which is basically a single chip computer and built an easy to use physical computing platform around it.

You already have countless microcontrollers in your life, there is one in your washing machine for instance. On thier own microcontrollers can be very difficult to use, difficult enough to be beyond the access of all but the most dedicated hobbyists. What the Arduino team have done is produce a design which reduces the learning curve to the absolute minimum while still providing a powerful platform for project development.



What is most impressive about the arduino is the range of sensors available, my own interest is in measuring the effect of setup changes on my radio controlled cars and also in providing active in car control. There are off the shelf boards and software that literally allow the sensors I need to be plugged in to the Arduino with no need to seperatley source individual electronic components or even get deep into understanding thier purpose.


Its a bit like building a PC, if I need a graphics card, I buy a graphics card, I don't need to buy 300 components or even understand what they do, I just buy and plugin a ready made solution which does what I want.

Arduino does what I want.

41 comments:

  1. TimApril 18, 2012 at 12:44 AM

    Your are sitting in the UAE as well, where did you get the board from in the UAE? I couldn't find any place to buy over here :(

    Regards

    ReplyDelete
  2. Can_I_Trade?April 18, 2012 at 5:03 AM

    Hi, You should be able to order an Arduino from any of the RS Components distributors in Dubai, there is one called 'Installations Middle East' near Mazaya Center outside the business bay metro station.

    Print this out and take it with you they can get most things in the RS catalogue in 5-10 days -

    Arduino UNO
    http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/microcontroller-processor/7154081/

    Arduino UNO with starter kit
    http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/microcontroller-processor/7154097/

    If your planning a lot of projects I would also suggest getting one of these, it will allow you to program standalone Arduinos that you can build yourself from components available in Deira.

    http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/microcontroller-processor/7485316/

    For components there are a lot of shops in Deira in an area called 'The Satelite Market', Greens, Bilal and a few others are good for general components and older ATMega8 chips which you can burn Arduino onto.

    Duane B

    ReplyDelete
  3. TimApril 22, 2012 at 3:56 AM

    Hi,

    Many thanks for the information.
    Actually I was looking for some shops here in Dubai but I didn't find one. So I’m going to checkout these websites.

    I had some funny ideas and started to work with the Pollin Board but Arduino looks like it has much more options.

    BTW: good website, very informative

    ReplyDelete
  4. TimApril 22, 2012 at 4:07 AM

    I just saw, I already called these guys from "Installations Middle East" and they asked for 185,00AED for the UNO board...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Can_I_Trade?April 22, 2012 at 5:29 AM

    Hi,
    The UK Based shops generally do not supply to Dubai, I usually order through family that are due to visit. Regarding the local reseller, I know that they apply a markup to products, you could just order from them and console yourself with the fact that almost everything else that you buy in Dubai will be cheaper than in Europe. Its amazing how much you can buy in the electronic souk and still come away with change from 20 Dirhams i.e. 50 LEDs = 10 Dirhams.

    Duane

    ReplyDelete
  6. Can_I_Trade?April 24, 2012 at 12:47 AM

    Tim,
    If you are still looking for an Arduino in Dubai I might be able to get hold of an unused experimenters kit from someone who has bought it but not used it yet. Let me know if you want this, price will be same as oomlout without delivery cost.

    Duane B

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PrinceAugust 23, 2012 at 9:43 AM

      still you have arduino board pls inform me my number 050-4680038 or 056-1771843 with price i need urgently

      Delete
  7. TimApril 26, 2012 at 5:43 AM

    Oh that sound's good, I already got some pieces, but I'm still looking for stuff - what is included?
    Can I send u an email or personal message?

    Regards Tim

    ReplyDelete
  8. Can_I_Trade?April 26, 2012 at 8:11 AM

    Hi,
    If your on the Arduino forum - http://arduino.cc/forum/ you can message the user Duane B, thats me.

    Duane B

    ReplyDelete
  9. DandharmaJuly 17, 2012 at 8:44 AM

    Hi Duane,

    Are you saying that its best to order all the components seperately from the "installations" guys in Deira? I wish there was somehwre n Dubai that has stocks of great elect/tech supplies. I feel like there could be a great little shopfront in Dragonmart! :) I am from Australia, and we have big retailers who sell this type of thing.

    I would like to get into the Arduino thing and build my own weather station but find it hard to find the materials in Dubai.

    Hope you can help
    Dan

    ReplyDelete
  10. Can_I_Trade?July 17, 2012 at 10:03 AM

    Hi,

    Installations ME are very expensive, so if you have an option to order from abroard that is going to be a lot cheaper. If you cant order from abroard, consider ordering the Arduino UNO from installations middleeast, they will not know what your are talking about so print out the link i have copied in an earlier reply and take that with you.

    For cheap components, Diera sattelite market is great, Greens, Popular and Bilal are three of the component shops that I use there, you generally need to visit all of the shops to find the components you need, but take a list and hand it over in each shop and they are pretty good at digging things out.

    Duane

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousAugust 10, 2012 at 11:05 AM

    I'm in Dubai too, I got same problem. Cannot find Arduino board in Dubai. So, I order this with shield and some component from India(UAE and India are very close - ha ha). It take around 10 days. You ca find these shop in arduino.cc , some shop you can send money via Western Union (UAE Exchange) (like me) service charge for send money AED20 per transcation. Shipping cost depend on weight, but it not too expensive.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Can_I_Trade?August 14, 2012 at 4:46 AM

    Hi,
    Did you Arduino arrive ? What do you have planned for it ?

    What is everyone else building in Dubai ?

    Duane

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownSeptember 3, 2012 at 8:11 AM

    Hey, I just got an Arduino Uno from RS installations a couple 'a days ago, and I was disappointed in the service and price, seeing how they charged me 235 dirhams. (I know, crazy)

    Do you know any other ways of getting your hands on an arduino in Dubai? Or even Arduino shields? Because I am in no way prepared to pay double for an Arduino. Also, what are the chances of getting the stuff I need from ACE hardware?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Can_I_Trade?September 4, 2012 at 10:27 AM

    Hi,
    You can order Arduino's and Sheilds from Europe, India or wherever else you prefer. For parts the Deira Electronics market can be very good, its located in the side streets around Deira Satelite market.

    The simpler Arduino sheilds are often built from widley available chips that you can easily buy in Deira to build your own sheilds for example you should be able to find L293D motor drivers in Deira.

    Duane B

    ReplyDelete
  15. Can_I_Trade?September 5, 2012 at 9:01 AM

    Hi,
    I am bring a few UNO's and one Mega back to Dubai this week if anyone is still looking for Arduino's in Dubai.

    Duane B

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AsadSeptember 6, 2012 at 8:32 AM

      brother i would need one (simple and non expensive one) i dont have idea, so could you help me plz. 0501339930


      hope you all are fine. i got a project in which i have to send commands to any port (serial and parallel are not coming any more so the option left is only USB port) of PC using c++ which will switch on/off LED. i have done a project on controlling DC-motors through matlab using parallel port but i think this one is different. i have searched alot on different forums on how to connect it but not found anything good. i just got from that is that i can do it using arduino board. i am new to it and dont have that much idea on how to handle it. could som1 brief me on how to do it and there are lots of arduino boards on web so which one i have to buy (non expensive because just need 5 volts on one pin to activate a relay for my LED project) and what code i will need.
      Thanks

      Delete
  16. Can_I_Trade?September 10, 2012 at 11:13 PM

    I have two Uno's and one Mega left, contact me here or PM me DuaneB on the Arduino forum to reserve one.

    Duane B

    ReplyDelete
  17. ASHSeptember 17, 2012 at 12:30 PM

    I am just starter and curious about this Arduino mania. How much does it cost for the Uno one and the Mega one? Please send me email on ammshar[at]gmail.com. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  18. WajihSeptember 23, 2012 at 2:18 PM

    Do you have a UNO? How much will it cost me?
    I am visiting dubai, and will leave on 25th. Do let me know if you have one available and where can I pick it up from.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Can_I_Trade?September 23, 2012 at 10:50 PM

    Hi I do have one for sale still, still in the wrapper 180Dhs. I see that you are leaving tomorrow, if you can get to the Emirates Towers metro station before you leave I will be happy to sell it to you.

    Duane B.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownOctober 7, 2012 at 11:50 AM

      Hi Duane,

      wondering if you still have any arduino (uno or mega) available here in DXB

      thanks,
      AB
      ammwalma@gmail.com

      Delete
  20. Can_I_Trade?October 7, 2012 at 10:59 PM

    Hi,
    I started using the Mega for a project last night, but I do still have two UNOs left. If you can get to the Emirates towers metro station I am happy to sell you one for 180 Dhs

    Duane B

    ReplyDelete
  21. Muhammed Danish KhanNovember 7, 2012 at 5:43 AM

    do you still have one left ? really interested in buying one ... do you have a starters pack with it ??

    danishkhan1995@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Can_I_Trade?November 12, 2012 at 7:06 AM

    Hi Muhammed, I emailed you last week, are you still interested ? I only have one left now.

    Duane B

    ReplyDelete
  23. RossobimboDecember 3, 2012 at 1:00 PM

    Hi Duane, I'd be really interested in getting an arduino one if u still have it available... I have few questions though:
    What kind of model is exactly?
    Is it just the board or it comes with some starter kit?

    Pls let me know ASAP as I'm leaving Dubai in few days

    Victor - 0553384386

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2013 at 11:43 AM

    I order mine on ebay

    ReplyDelete
  25. nunoFebruary 13, 2013 at 11:25 AM

    Duane

    If i want to make a hexapod with 18 servo, which board should I buy

    ReplyDelete
  26. Can_I_Trade?February 16, 2013 at 9:33 AM

    Hi, If you wanted to follow some of tne existing hexapod designs, you should look at an Arduino Mega, it has more memory and inputs and outputs than an UNO, but if you wanted to solve your own problems, a Hexapod could be a really nice challenge on an UNO. The rcarduino serial servos library will allow you to drive 20 servos using just 4 Arduino pins. That leave you with almost thefull power of the UNO to figure out the movement etc

    Check outwhat others have been able to doon both the UNO and Mega - the Due is probably a bit immature for now.

    duane B

    ReplyDelete
  27. Sari Al GhoulFebruary 22, 2013 at 8:22 PM

    Hi all,

    My name is Sari Al Ghoul and I am based in Dubai.After reading the new book (Makers) by Chris Andersen, I've become very interested in Arduion and 3d printing. I've bought an Arduino starter kit from the MakerShed.

    I doing stuff on my own now, and the learning can be pretty slow! So I was wondering if any of you would be interested in have some regular meetings where we can exchange knowledge and show off projects?

    Let me know what you think.

    Thanks

    Sari

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnonymousApril 10, 2013 at 11:39 AM

    You can order direct from deal extreme, good prices and usually takes around a week from hong kong - http://dx.com/

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousMay 16, 2013 at 11:42 AM

    Does any one have arduino uno and wana sell it in Abu Dhabi kindly let me know
    Asad 0501339930

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousMay 16, 2013 at 11:44 AM

    Does any one have arduino uno plus servo motor and wana sell it in Abu Dhabi kindly let me know
    Asad 0501339930

    ReplyDelete
  31. HHJuly 23, 2013 at 5:01 AM

    For arduino in Dubai - UAE; try www.irobotec.com; They are arduino distributer in UAE and they do free shipping in UAE.

    ReplyDelete
  32. ElectroAugust 23, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    Checkout Zero Ohm (www.zeroohm.ae) for Arduino on Dubai

    ReplyDelete
  33. UnknownJanuary 2, 2014 at 5:55 AM

    HI, I recently purchased some lighting equipment based on the arduino and have been amazed with the capabilities so far. Are there any workshops to learn more on the arduino? Anybody interested to do some lighting projects (for a fee of course) and teach me a bit : 0 ) ... Love this blog and hope the new year takes you to new heights..

    ReplyDelete
  34. UnknownApril 29, 2014 at 5:34 AM

    hi

    Im a Quadriplegic and after 20 years in a wheelchair Im going crazy so I need a hobby

    I watched these videos and I was thinking we could use either a raspberry pi or Beaglebone PC with a Bluetooth chip and 2.4ghz mounted on a shield, that way we can eliminate the PC and Wii remote. Mind you I'm no hacker or electronics guy either.

    I saw one video where the guy used a PC based oscilloscope to map the wave form generated by the R/C cars transmitter only to replicate it on an Arduino board, could this be accomplished using the Beaglebone a bluetooth chip and 2.4ghz transmitter

    Are the 2.4ghz transmitters and ZigBee chips available designed to send and receive this type of data, the new remote control car transmitters and receivers use a 2.4ghz system that utilises automatic frequency hoping digital system (AFHDS) without crystals like the old radios, they can use 60 or more randomly picked channels to operate on, I'm not sure if this type of technology is used in the Arduino world.

    Here's a few links on how it works

    http://www.powershow.com/view1/20586b-ZDc1Z/NIBLUM_Non-invasive_Bluetooth_Mouse_for_Wheelchair_Users_powerpoint_ppt_presentation

    http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL41C821BE875FDE9B

    I'm guessing we would need their USB Bluetooth dongle if we build ours with its own would you know anyone you can forward my message and email deauzie@gmail.com to who could help.

    To test it until my new wheelchair arrives we could use a cheap analogue arcade joystick and mini wireless expansion board

    As I said Im no technician

    Paul

    ReplyDelete
  35. UnknownJuly 18, 2016 at 9:53 PM

    Guys if any body know any place which i can find arduino robot car kit .. please tell me as fast as possible

    ReplyDelete
  36. UnknownJuly 18, 2016 at 9:56 PM

    Please guys .. am going to travel after two days and i have a graduation interview and my project is obstacle avoider robot vehicle .. please help me .. please help me

    ReplyDelete
  37. MarkDecember 28, 2016 at 10:29 PM

    Hello! Any places online that you recommend where I can buy an arduino kit? I've been reading a lot about it lately.

    ReplyDelete
  38. AnonymousOctober 21, 2017 at 9:52 PM

    You can easily order now days from souq.com

    ReplyDelete

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