The Coolest Arduino Projects

Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. Due to its low price tag, it has become extremely popular among artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments. Arduino hardware is programmed using a Wiring-based language (syntax and libraries), similar to C++ with some simplifications and modifications, and a processing-based integrated development environment.

You can purchase you own board from Arduino's homepage where the distributors are listed alphabetically by region for about $40, depending on the model.

On the below, I have listed top 5 Arduino DIY projects that have impressed me.

UberFridge is a homebrew fermentation temperature controller that I have built from my old fridge. It runs on an Arduino Nano and an Asus WL520GU router. UberFridge can control the temperature of a fermenting beer with 0.1 °C accuracy. Temperature charts and settings can are viewable in the web interface over WiFi.

Broken dishwasher repaired with Arduino because of a dead control panel. He is using a DS1307 RealTimeClock chip, an Arduino Duemilanove, a 4×20 LCD panel, and six relays to control the dishwasher.

A custom designed electronic lock. An alternative to numbered keypad, an RGB backlit device powered by an Arduino. Instead of typing in numbers, your password is a unique set of colors.

The following parts needed: an electric door strike, a locking door handle (any hardware store), an Arduino or compatible clone. 1 TIP120 transistor, 1 1N4001 diode, 10 1N4148 diodes, 4 2n2222 transistors, 1 monome style keypad, 1 keypad PC board, 8 RGB LED’s, 1 7805 voltage regulator, 4 100 ohm resistors, 2 150 ohm resistors, 8 1 kilohm resistors.

Simple Gmail Notifier – the computer checks for new emails in your Gmail account, and then tells the electronics board whether emails have arrived. If they have, the board turns on the output device (the cube). The project author is using an LED Cube with an embedded RBG color cycle. If you do not happen to have a glowing cube lying around, you can modify this to work with almost any other output device. The author is also explaining how to make a computer software to run the machine properly to check the emails.

Matt Richardson demonstrates how he uses an Arduino to make a celebrity-silencing remote control for your TV. By decoding the closed captioning track in the video signal, the Arduino can look for keywords such as “PALIN” or “KARDASHIAN” and mute your TV, protecting your ears from having to hear about annoying celebrities ever again. Still relevant in 2016.

PS! Check out my online tools above, especially the vCard/Business card to QR-Code converter!