Getting started with microcontrollers used to be complex and expensive. Not any more! Arduino takes the pain out of creating microcontroller projects, with a variety of controller boards with different features and sizes plus a very simple to use free code editor that runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac®.

The code editor has an easy one-click "compile/upload" feature that uploads your programs via USB, so you don’t even need an ISP programmer. Just plug the microcontroller board into your computer using USB, launch the editor, and you're ready to go.

Free software, hundreds of examples, circuit diagrams, programs, all kinds of projects and tutorials are openly available on the Internet to support these interactive boards. Many sensors, modules and displays can be used. You can also combine an Arduino microcontroller board with servo motors, DC motors, gearboxes, speakers, LEDs, switches, cases and many other electronic parts in our catalogue to make your project.

What is Arduino?

Arduino is an open source hardware and software prototyping environment, but what does this mean? Open source means that the boards and programs have been developed by a community of people who are passionate about building their own ideas into projects, but also are willing to share their knowledge, designs, code and skills with other like-minded people. There’s a wealth of shared resources, examples and project ideas to help you develop and learn. See www.arduino.cc to find out more.

Arduino Hardware

The Arduino boards are designed with education in mind- in fact they were developed at a University to make electronics easy for artists and other students unfamiliar with programming electronics. It’s possible to build complex circuits without soldering, by simply by plugging jumper leads, modules and breadboard together with the main Uno board. There’s also prototyping shields and other parts and modules that can be soldered if you want to take your project beyond simple plug-and-play.

Arduino Software

The Arduino IDE (Integrated Developed Environment) is available as a web app or free open-source download that works on Windows, Mac and Linux, and provides beginners with a simple intuitive programing language. It also allows advanced users to develop powerful programs using the vast range of downloadable libraries that the Arduino community has created. See www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software for software options.

DIY Projects

See below for a variety of projects you can build with our Arduino compatible parts. Keep an eye out for our monthly catalogue.