Check these out
http://www.arduino.cc/
(http://arduino.cc/en/uploads/Main/arduino_uno_test.jpg)
Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It's intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments.
Arduino can sense the environment by receiving input from a variety of sensors and can affect its surroundings by controlling lights, motors, and other actuators. The microcontroller on the board is programmed using the Arduino programming language (based on Wiring) and the Arduino development environment (based on Processing). Arduino projects can be stand-alone or they can communicate with software running on a computer (e.g. Flash, Processing, MaxMSP).
The boards can be built by hand or purchased preassembled; the software can be downloaded for free. The hardware reference designs (CAD files) are available under an open-source license, you are free to adapt them to your needs.
These are pretty cool. I looked these up a while ago after I saw this video-
http://youtu.be/2JNf0lAo3Ns
I wish I had the skills to mess with something like that. I have an idea that would revolutionize backyard dog poop scooping! lol ;)
Quote from: Nando on 07/30/2012, 11:06 AMArduino can sense the environment by receiving input from a variety of sensors and can affect its surroundings by controlling lights, motors, and other actuators.
Seriously, has no one watched Terminator 2? 8-[
Quote from: JoshTurboTrollX-16 on 07/30/2012, 12:08 PMQuote from: Nando on 07/30/2012, 11:06 AMArduino can sense the environment by receiving input from a variety of sensors and can affect its surroundings by controlling lights, motors, and other actuators.
Seriously, has no one watched Terminator 2? 8-[
So that's how this thing begins!
;p
some guy used his android tablet, an arduino board, some wood, couple of electric motors and drill bits to make a cnc machine on his work bench. I can't find the link to it anymore, but you can do damn near anything with those arduino setups.