Top 10 Arduino Projects

Below are some videos/links/descriptions to the Arduino projects that have really impressed me, the idea is that I’ll try them myself when I secure the correct components:

1. Pulling GPS (NMEA) Data off Inexpensive Hardware

This video inspired my current project, pulling the GPS data off an inexpensive safety camera alerter from Maplin, and storing it to SD Card. Then taking the idea further, using the (quite expensive ) GPRS module and the following code, send the GPS data by SMS to allow ‘live’ tracking of a car.

/*
* Sending SMS using the Arduino GPRS module
* Copyright (c) 2009 Cool Components Ltd
* http://www.coolcomponents.co.uk
*/
int ModuleOnPin = 2; // the pin to switch the module on (without having to press the button)
void setup()
{
pinMode(led, OUTPUT);
pinMode(ModuleOnPin, OUTPUT);
Serial.begin(115200); // the GPRS baud rate
digitalWrite(ModuleOnPin,HIGH); // swith the module ON
delay(2000);
digitalWrite(ModuleOnPin,LOW);
for (int i=0;i<5;i++) //Assuming SIM card in + there is no pin#, wait 25 secs for module to connect to network
{delay(5000);}
Serial.println(“AT+CMGF=1″); // set the SMS mode to text
}
void loop()
{
Serial.print(“AT+CMGS=”); // send the SMS the number
Serial.print(34,BYTE); // send the ” char
Serial.print(“07941123456″); // send the destination phone number
Serial.println(34,BYTE); // send the ” char
delay(1500);
Serial.print(“Hello World…….”); // the SMS body
delay(500);
Serial.println(0x1A,BYTE); // end of message command 1A (hex)
delay(5000);
Serial.println(“AT*PSCPOF”); // switch the module off
while(1) {} // Loop forever
}

2. Good ‘quick’ start

I like this video because it give lots of good tips about laying out your prototype board. It’s not complicated, and there’s no code – but it’s still worth a look if you’re still starting out

3. EMF Detector.

This one’s brilliantly simple, and details how to make an electro-magnetic field detector out of an arduino, some LEDs and a piece of wire!

4. Keyless door entry.

I remember when I first saw the title of the video and thought I’d be getting to see a cool RFID system. But no… just a giant servo and a touch sensor. Great practical use of the Arduino though – full marks for effort!

5. The ‘Danger Shield’.

Not much code or instruction given in this video, but it does show what the Arduino is capable of controlling. And the guy must have been practicing for weeks

6. Ultrasonic Range Finder.

Great little video that demonstrates the insanely easy setup of the PING))) ultrasonic range finder to work with the Arduino. Coupled with some poetically simple (too much? :p) code, it makes a great little project.

7. Solar Tracking station.

This is one of my favourite projects by far. The Arduino is powered by a set of solar panels, and in turn, the arduino controls a servo that makes the solar panels track the movement of the Sun to ensure maximum energy yield. Unfortunately there’s not much code or details given (I’ve e-mailed the author) – but it’s worth watching just for inspiration.

8. Simple Oscilloscope.

Nice little project that turns the Arduino into a simple oscilloscope, complete with LCD output. Unfortunately the maker’s are Spanish, and so I can’t source any instructions

9. Hacking the Wii nunchuck.

This guy cut up his Wii nunchuck – he deserves a mention!

10. RFID Sensor.

This is the video that made me ‘go wow’ the most. Immediately upon watching it, your mind is full of ideas of how it could be put to work in a host of different guises. (Though I have to admit – the guys/girls choice of RFID ‘tags’ creeped me out a bit =/)

(11. USB Motion Detector.)

Okay, so I’m cheating a little bit, this project doesn’t use an Arduino, hence why it can’t be in the top 10. But there’s lots of ways an Arduino can be put to using the system shown in the video. One obvious example being an Arduino powered alarm system…