Schlagwort: Plug and Make Kit

  • Build your own smart pet feeder with the Arduino Plug and Make Kit

    Build your own smart pet feeder with the Arduino Plug and Make Kit

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    If you are a pet owner, you know how important it is to keep furry companions fed and happy – even when life gets busy! With the Arduino Plug and Make Kit, you can now build a customizable, smart pet feeder that dispenses food on schedule and can be controlled remotely. It’s the perfect blend of functionality and creativity, designed to simplify your life and delight your cat, dog, rabbit, hamster, or cute creature of choice.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNNsezRu14k?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    Here’s everything you need to automate feeding your pet

    This intermediate project is packed with advanced features, made easy by the intuitive Plug and Make Kit. With its modular components, creating your own smart pet feeder is straightforward, fun, and easy to customize.

    Here’s what you’ll need:

    • Arduino Plug and Make Kit, which already includes UNO R4 WiFi, Modulino Distance, Modulino Buttons, Modulino Pixels, and Qwiic cables
    • A continuous servo motor (such as this one, for example)
    • Some jumper wires and screws for assembly
    • A 3D printer (to create the case either with the files we provide, or with your own designs!)

    Simply follow our step-by-step tutorial on Project Hub to put everything together, customize your code, and print the 3D encasings. 

    Once the setup is complete, you can remotely control the feeder via a ready-to-use Arduino Cloud dashboard, where you’ll set dispensing schedules, adjust portion sizes, and even customize LED lights to match your pet’s mood. 

    The Modulino Distance sensor ensures food comes out only when needed, while the Modulino Buzzer adds some audio feedback for a playful touch.

    Make it the cat’s meow!

    As you know, the Plug and Make Kit’s versatility allows for endless possibilities. Feel free to expand this pet feeder project with additional features! For example, you can add a motion-activated camera to capture your pet’s activities, or a real-time weight monitor to track how much food is consumed. You can even activate voice commands for an interactive feeding experience (maybe skip this one if you have a parrot!). 

    Now you have all the info you need to build your own smart pet feeder: time to grab your Arduino Plug and Make Kit and get started. The template we’ve created simplifies the process, letting you focus on the fun parts of building and experimenting. 

    Be sure to share your creations with us – upload them to Project Hub or email creators@arduino.cc to get in touch. We can’t wait to see how you make the small daily routine of feeding your pet smarter, and a lot more fun, with Arduino!

    The post Build your own smart pet feeder with the Arduino Plug and Make Kit appeared first on Arduino Blog.

    Website: LINK

  • A new Plug and Make Kit challenge! A game of rhythm and creativity

    A new Plug and Make Kit challenge! A game of rhythm and creativity

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    The Arduino Plug and Make Kit is all about unleashing creativity while simplifying the process of turning ideas into reality. It enables everyone to focus on the fun of creating with the power of the UNO R4 WiFi and a user-friendly, modular design – bypassing the complexities of traditional circuit building. 

    Case in point: the kit’s intuitive features inspired Loris Bottello to create a project that combines his passion for music with playful interaction. A project he kindly shared with us – and all of you! – with this great step-by-step guide on Project Hub.

    Meet Loris Bottello, Plug and Make Kit Star

    Bottello worked for years at Arduino as a Senior Product Designer, focusing on Arduino Cloud and Project Hub. An expert at creating user-friendly tools and platforms that empower makers, he was excited to participate in our role-reversing Make Tank – where colleagues from different teams joined efforts to put the Plug and Make Kit to the test. 

    It was during one of these in-house sessions that some experimentation with Modulino nodes led to Sync a Song. The concept of syncing music and lights came naturally to Bottello, who is also a singer and guitarist in a rock band.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZoxANVnjuY?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    Sync a Song

    Sync a Song is a game for one or two players, reminiscent of vintage reel-to-reel tape recorders: the challenge is to spin two reels at the same speed. When in perfect sync, you’ll see LEDs light up green and hear a song as your reward. Want a new tune? Simply press the buttons on Modulino Buttons to switch tracks!

    While you’ll need two Plug and Make Kits to complete this project, assembly is straightforward: just use two Modulino bases connected by Qwiic cables – you can even top them with 3D-printed reels for an authentic retro look. 

    And have fun customizing your own version! It’s easy to add a favorite song or tweak the visuals to create your own interactive, creative experience, mixing playful nostalgia and modern tech.

    Less (complexity) is more (fun)

    For Bottello, the Plug and Make Kit’s biggest strength lies in its simplicity and flexibility. “In the past, I spent a lot of time figuring out circuits and debugging hardware. With the kit, I can dive straight into coding and focus on building an interesting experience,” he explains. By eliminating the need for breadboards, wires, and resistors, the kit allows creators to dedicate more time to refining their ideas and exploring new possibilities.

    “The Plug and Make Kit is perfect for experimenting and learning by creating a variety of projects without overthinking the technical setup. It’s a true enabler of creativity.”

    So, grab your Plug and Make Kit and check out the full tutorial to recreate Sync a Song: you’ll be bringing your own ideas to life in no time! 

    Don’t forget to share your creations with us on Project Hub or email creators@arduino.cc to get in touch: we can’t wait to see what you build.

    The post A new Plug and Make Kit challenge! A game of rhythm and creativity appeared first on Arduino Blog.

    Website: LINK

  • Light up the holiday season with a new Plug and Make Kit tutorial!

    Light up the holiday season with a new Plug and Make Kit tutorial!

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    Looking for a fun and creative way to brighten up the holiday season? With the Arduino Plug and Make Kit, you can build an interactive LED light installation that reacts when someone walks by – perfect for spreading cheer and adding a high-tech twist to your decorations.

    This project is easy to make, super fun to use, and fully customizable. The component includes the UNO R4 WiFi, Modulino Distance, and Modulino Buttons as well as all the cables and accessories you need to bring your decorations to life. All you have to add is a 5 V LED strip (like this one, for example).

    Your step-by-step guide to LED magic

    Anyone can recreate and personalize this project for festive lights: with the Plug and Make Kit’s snap-together design and Arduino Cloud integration, creating something amazing has never been easier. Just follow this step-by-step tutorial on Project Hub, complete with code templates and wiring instructions.

    Here’s what you’ll need:

    • Arduino Plug and Make Kit, which already includes UNO R4 WiFi, Modulino Distance, Modulino Buttons, and Qwiic cables
    • A 5 V LED strip
    • Some jumper wires 
    • A power bank (optional)

    The project starts similarly to our recent jack-o’-lantern project, with the Modulino Distance sensor detecting movement and triggering an action. But in this case, instead of a scary cackle you’ll recreate whimsical light animations on the LED strip. These are pre-configured, and can be easily controlled either with Modulino Buttons or remotely, via the Arduino Cloud dashboard: you can adjust the color of the LEDs, select your favorite animation, and even set the lights to react only when someone is near – perfect for adding a playful surprise.

    Why stop at festive lights?

    The Arduino Plug and Make Kit makes it easy to expand your project. With its versatility, you can modify the interactive lights to fit any creative idea. Add more sensors for different triggers, or use other Modulino nodes to include audio effects, track data, or create patterns based on the weather – your imagination is the limit!Ready to spread some light and joy? Build your own interactive light project and share it with us! Upload your designs to Project Hub or email creators@arduino.cc to get in touch. We can’t wait to see how you make the season bright with Arduino!

    The post Light up the holiday season with a new Plug and Make Kit tutorial! appeared first on Arduino Blog.

    Website: LINK

  • Build Button Clash in minutes: a new fun game with Plug and Make Kit 

    Build Button Clash in minutes: a new fun game with Plug and Make Kit 

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    The Arduino Plug and Make Kit is all about turning creative sparks into reality in mere minutes. With its intuitive, snap-together design, even the wildest ideas become achievable – fast, fun, and frustration-free. That’s exactly what Julián Caro Linares, Arduino’s Product Experience team leader, discovered when he built his latest project for our in-house Make Tank: Button Clash, an arcade-inspired game for two players.  

    Button Clash was a popular attraction among the interactive demos we had at the Arduino booth at this year’s Maker Faire Rome! By connecting it via Arduino Cloud, we were able to collect stats in real time (fun fact: the left side won 54% of the matches!). 

    Meet Julián Caro Linares, Plug and Make Kit Star  

    Julián brings together technical expertise and passion for robotics, making, and human-centered design to create documentation, tutorials, and more for the Arduino Pro ecosystem. “Our team gets to truly transform prototypes into products,” he says. “It’s exciting to figure out the best way to explain to users how awesome these tools are, and to help them truly learn to create what they want or need.”  

    Outside of work, he loves creating projects that inspire connection and joy. From social robots that mimic emotional states to interactive gift boxes, his creations show how technology can engage people in meaningful and unexpected ways. And have you seen his recent LEGO®-Alvik mashup?

    When it came to Button Clash, Julián drew inspiration from his love of physical interfaces and the pure satisfaction of smashing arcade buttons: “This game puts players into ‘inner childhood’ mode, where all you want to do is beat your opponent!”

    Button Clash 

    Button Clash is a two-player game that challenges you to press an arcade button faster than your opponent. The rules are few and intuitive:  

    • Once both players press their buttons simultaneously, the game begins with a simple melody played by the Modulino Buzzer node.  
    • Smash your button as fast as possible, to fill your side of the LED matrix on the Arduino UNO R4 provided in the Plug and Make Kit.  
    • The first player to take over half the matrix wins!  

    Building this game is a breeze thanks to the Modulino nodes and Qwiic cables in the kit. The arcade buttons require just a bit of soldering, but add a unique retro charm: well worth the extra step, in our opinion! The result is a highly engaging, customizable game that’s perfect for parties, family nights, or just unleashing your competitive spirit.  

    Creativity made easy  

    For Julián, the best part of the Plug and Make Kit is how it simplifies the process of turning out-of-the-box ideas into real projects. “Like the name says, you can just plug the different Modulino together and make your project: no matter how unconventional it is,” he says.  
    Explore the full tutorial to replicate Button Clash on Arduino’s Project Hub and get inspired to create your own fun and interactive games! With the Plug and Make Kit, you can start your creative adventure today.

    The post Build Button Clash in minutes: a new fun game with Plug and Make Kit  appeared first on Arduino Blog.

    Website: LINK

  • A riddle wrapped in an enigma… made easy, with Arduino Plug and Make Kit

    A riddle wrapped in an enigma… made easy, with Arduino Plug and Make Kit

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    The Arduino Plug and Make Kit was designed to open up infinite possibilities, breaking down the idea that technology is a “black box” reserved for experts. With its snap-together system, this kit gives everyone – beginners and seasoned makers alike – the power to create and innovate without barriers. Forget being a passive user! With the Plug and Make Kit, technology is accessible and ready to bring your ideas to life.

    Meet Giulio Pilotto, Plug and Make Kit Star

    Giulio Pilotto is one of Arduino’s senior software engineers and works closely on Arduino Cloud projects. When we held a “Make Tank” workshop at our Turin office to showcase the potential of the Plug and Make Kit, he joined in with inspiration from a recent escape room experience. 

    The result was Riddle Treasure, a puzzle-based game that allows you to recreate the excitement of an escape room anywhere you are.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMewu2yG1CE?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    At this year’s Maker Faire, Pilotto had the opportunity to present Riddle Treasure at the Arduino booth. While he had showcased his own creations at previous Maker Faire editions, this time felt special: “The Maker Faire is always a wonderful high-energy event,” he says. “I was happy to represent the Arduino team as we focus more than ever on the community: all our products were presented in the light of what people can do with them.” 

    Riddle Treasure

    To be honest, this is probably the most advanced project our in-house “Make Tank” came up with (so far!). After all, it has to be somewhat complicated to emulate intricate escape room puzzles! However, following Pilotto’s step-by-step instructions on Project Hub and leveraging the easy snap-together mechanism of Modulino nodes, anyone can recreate Riddle Treasure – or even invent a personal, unique variation.

    The goal of the game is to unlock a safe. But to get there, you need to complete three steps in order. 

    1. Combination Lock: First, you must rotate the encoder in Modulino Knob like a safe’s combination lock. When you hit the right position, one of the lights on Modulino Pixels turns from red to green. When you get all five LEDs to turn green, you can move on to the next step. 

    2. Secret Sentence: Use the banana cables to connect the words in the panel. When you get them all in the right order to form the secret sentence, a password is revealed on the LED matrix of the UNO R4 included in the Plug and Make Kit. 

    3. Final Unlock: Input the password via Modulino Buttons, and watch the safe unlock! 

    We take care of the complexity, so you can simply plug into tech!

    Arduino has done the hard work so you can play and have fun even with deliberately complex projects like this one. 

    “Building this without having to solder, or even worry about settings or any electronics aspect at all, is a game changer. With Plug and Make Kit, Arduino has already selected and optimized the Modulino sensors: all you have to do is put them together to get started on your ideas,” Pilotto says. 

    Search Project Hub for “Plug and Make” to find Riddle Treasure and many more ideas, and get inspired to create your own amazing projects with the Plug and Make Kit!

    The post A riddle wrapped in an enigma… made easy, with Arduino Plug and Make Kit appeared first on Arduino Blog.

    Website: LINK

  • Make your scary Halloween pumpkin smart with the Plug and Make Kit!

    Make your scary Halloween pumpkin smart with the Plug and Make Kit!

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    With Halloween just around the corner, we’ve got the perfect project to make your decorations more fun and interactive. All you have to do is take the Arduino UNO R4 WiFi and Modulino nodes included in your Plug and Make Kit to create an awesome jack-o’-lantern that will light up and cackle with evil laughter when someone walks by! 

    Connect it to Arduino Cloud and you’ll be able to check on it and even remotely trigger some spooky surprises. 

    This is an easy project that anyone can do, and we’ll walk you through the steps to make it happen.

    A step-by-step guide to make spooky super simple

    This project is a great introduction to making interactive things. You won’t just be setting up some store-bought props, you’ll be creating technology and bringing your pumpkin to life!

    To get started, you’ll need:

    • Plug and Make Kit (including UNO R4 WiFi, Modulino Pixels for the glowing eyes, and Modulino Distance to trigger the action when someone approaches)
    • An MP3 module and a small speaker for the creepy sounds
    • A microSD card to store your sounds (feel free to use the ones we provide, or record your own!)
    • A powerbank to keep everything running
    • A pumpkin (you can carve out a real one, or you can 3D print one like we did – using this model by Damien Dozias)

    The Modulino Distance sensor detects when someone approaches your jack-o’-lantern, and that’s when the magic begins. The Modulino Pixels light up the eyes, syncing with the spooky sounds played from the MP3 module. Everything is controlled with an UNO R4, and thanks to Arduino Cloud, you can even control the pumpkin remotely, change the sounds, and keep track of how many people you’ve scared.

    All the code and details are ready for you to download from Arduino’s Project Hub. We’ve also created a template that will help you set everything up quickly. This template automatically uploads the code to your UNO board and creates a custom dashboard so you can monitor and control your creation. Just follow the link to get started!

    Unleash your creativity!

    Sure to make a lasting impression on your trick-or-treating visitors, this project offers you the chance to have fun while actually learning a lot about electronics, coding, and the Internet of Things (IoT). 

    Why just buy interactive objects when making your own is so rewarding? So grab your tools, start building, and give your Halloween the high-tech twist it deserves!

    As always, we highly encourage you to customize the project with your own ideas: with the UNO R4 WiFi and Modulino nodes included in the Plug and Make Kit, you have all the tools you need.

    For example, you could use Modulino Buttons to change scary sounds locally, or make your scary jack-o’-lantern even smarter. It can check the weather from an online forecast and change the LEDs’ color to let you know if it’s going to rain, help you use your smartphone to monitor the temperature outside in real time via Arduino Cloud… and much more! 

    Be sure to share your scary creations with us: upload them to Project Hub or email creators@arduino.cc to get in touch. 

    The post Make your scary Halloween pumpkin smart with the Plug and Make Kit! appeared first on Arduino Blog.

    Website: LINK

  • Two NEW Arduino Plug and Make Kit projects recreate iconic vintage games

    Two NEW Arduino Plug and Make Kit projects recreate iconic vintage games

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    The Plug and Make Kit is a toolbox you can use for infinite ideas. So what happens if you ask a mix of Arduino designers, engineers, and managers to sit down and brainstorm new projects to have fun with it? Well, at least one of them is guaranteed to come up with an adorable, old-school, slightly addictive video game. 

    That’s exactly how Luca Doglione developed Flappy LED and LED Pong, during a “Make Tank” workshop we held in our Turin, Italy office a few weeks ago!

    Meet Luca Doglione, Plug and Make Kit Star

    Doglione is an engineering manager for the Arduino software and cloud teams, and one of the key people behind our website, cloud services, and course platform. He likes games in any shape or form, from board games to competitive computer games to vintage 2D arcade games. During the workshop, he was inspired by the different types of Modulino nodes and how they can be used together.

    Flappy LED

    Using Modulino Distance, Modulino Knob, Modulino Buzzer, and Modulino Buttons, Doglione quickly came up with a simple way to interact with the LED matrix on the Arduino UNO R4 WiFi, all of which are included in the kit. 

    The goal of the game is to guide an LED dot up and down to avoid obstacles as you go – just like you would do with the bird in Flappy Bird. The longer you are able to avoid collisions and keep the LED moving, the higher the score!

    You can control the movement of the LED light in two alternative ways: turning the knob, or moving your hand up and down above the distance sensor. You choose which mode you prefer by simply pressing the corresponding button on Modulino Buttons (A for the encoder or C for the distance sensor). 

    Follow the full tutorial on Project Hub to build this quirky game yourself, and let us know how you customize or expand it. The sky’s the limit!

    LED Pong

    Doglione worked out Flappy LED so quickly that he had time to ideate a second game. He immediately thought of the classic Pong, and created his own version with Plug and Make Kit. This project is just as portable and easy to recreate as the first, and can be played by two people together. 

    LED Pong requires two Modulino Knob: since each kit includes one per type of the seven nodes currently available, it is also a great idea for a collaborative making session with a friend! 

    The knobs are used to move the paddle and bounce the ball back and forth. Missing the ball gives the other player one point – as neatly displayed on the Modulino Pixel. The first to reach five points wins! 

    The full tutorial is here on Project Hub: try it out, and you’ll quickly bounce from nostalgia to excitement over how many new ideas Plug and Make Kit will unlock!

    From reimagining old games to learning new tricks!

    After seeing his playful ideas come together so easily, Doglione says, “My favorite part of Plug and Make Kit was being able to bypass the electronics to focus on user experience and interaction. This really unleashed my creativity. Having to figure out circuits always stopped me from tackling complex hardware projects – and I have a degree in computer science! Having that little yellow base and modular Modulino nodes made it really satisfying to see my project looking neat.”

    What do you think about Doglione’s games? And what vintage games could you recreate with Arduino Plug and Make Kit? 

    Flappy LED

    LED Pong

    The post Two NEW Arduino Plug and Make Kit projects recreate iconic vintage games appeared first on Arduino Blog.

    Website: LINK

  • Kickstart your tech journey, with the new Arduino Plug and Make Kit!

    Kickstart your tech journey, with the new Arduino Plug and Make Kit!

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Hey, creating an IoT device shouldn’t be rocket science. We believe technology is for everyone. That’s why we’ve developed the whole new, beginner-friendly Plug and Make Kit – the easiest way to get started with Arduino! 

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzzqn2AgSlo?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]

    Inside the box, you’ll find everything you need to create your first smart solution for everyday life. For example, you can build a fully functional timer, a weather forecast station, or even a game controller – in a single session. 

    There are seven projects complete with step-by-step instructions ready to try (and dedicated tutorials on how to use individual components included): start wherever you like, follow your interests, and have fun with it! 

    • Weather Report: Never get caught in the rain again, with a visual reminder to take an umbrella when needed.
    • Hourglass: Who needs an egg timer? Customize your own digital hourglass.
    • Eco Watch: Make sure your plants thrive in the perfect temperature and humidity.
    • Game Controller: Level up with your very own HID (human interface device) gamepad.
    • Sonic Synth: Get one step closer to being a rockstar, DJ or sound engineer!
    • Smart Lights: Set the mood with your very own smart lamp.
    • Touchless Lamp: Control lights with a simple gesture.

    Our hope is that the skills you learn and satisfaction you gain will fuel your tech journey in making for years to come, wherever your passions may take you. 

    This is just the beginning

    The components in the Plug and Make Kit can be used to come up with endless new applications – also swiftly integrating with our full ecosystem of hardware and software tools. 

    We can’t wait to see the original ideas you will share, for new projects the community can try!

    Build it in a snap, control it via the app!

    For the Plug and Make Kit, we’ve developed a whole new hardware approach: components just connect together – no breadboard, jumper wires or soldering needed. 

    Once you’ve built your device, you’ll find all the resources and support you may need to get going via the Arduino Cloud:

    • Make progress, troubleshoot, or expand your project with step-by-step online guides.
    • Save precious time and focus on bringing your next idea to life, by simply importing templates (pre-configured projects for quick device setup), freely available to turn your ideas into fully operational devices within minutes.
    • Visualize data any way you wish, with unlimited dashboards, also on your smartphone.

    Based on makers’ favorite, the UNO R4 WiFi

    The Arduino UNO R4 WiFi features a powerful microcontroller with Wi-Fi®/Bluetooth® Low Energy connectivity, a Qwiic connector, a large LED matrix, and more. If you don’t fully understand what that all means for now, don’t worry: the UNO is the definition of ease of use, and its latest version is perfect for beginners and beyond.

    Plug & play with Modulino® 

    The Plug and Make Kit offers a collection of seven Modulino® sensors and actuators, all included in the box:

    • Knob: for super-fine value setting
    • Pixels: eight LEDs to shine bright or dim down – you choose!
    • Distance: a time-of-flight proximity sensor to measure distances
    • Movement: to perfectly capture movements like pitch, roll or tilt
    • Buzzer: to compose your own alarm sounds or simple tunes
    • Thermo: a sensor for both temperature and humidity
    • Buttons: three buttons for quick user selection

    Each Modulino simply connects via the UNO R4 WiFi’s onboard Qwiic connector: no breadboard, no soldering – and no wondering which side goes where, because the connector is polarized.

    If you like the sense of accomplishment you get when things just click, you’ll love this: once you have a few nodes, you can keep your project looking neat by arranging everything on the Modulino Base structural frame. 

    Connect to your passions

    Whether you are new to making or want to share your passion with someone taking their first steps in this world, the Plug and Make Kit offers the easiest, most fun introduction to a world of possibilities where technology is open to all. 

    Ready to put your hands on technology? The Plug and Make Kit can be purchased worldwide from the Arduino Store, as well as from official network of Arduino partners listed below:

    Global

    Asia

    Europe

    North America

    Latin & South America

    The post Kickstart your tech journey, with the new Arduino Plug and Make Kit! appeared first on Arduino Blog.

    Website: LINK