Arduino and Innovation
Arduino enables non-hardware engineers to create rapid & inexpensive hardware prototypes. The device reminds one of the early days of micocomputers, the fertile period when Apple and Microsoft were born.
Simple, Inexpensive, and Flexible
The Arduino is an inexpensive (roughly $35.00) circuit board with:
- A microcontroller that you can control with software.
- A USB port that allows you to communicate with the board using a computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux)
So What?
So… is this Arduino thing just a cool toy for geek hobbyists? Yes, and more. We’re in the middle of a recession (some would say “depression”). When inventors work with inexpensive and flexible tools, great companies are born. Apple and Microsoft were born in the mid 1970s when computers became small & cheap enough for the average person to afford.
What bold and innovative companies will grow from Arduino?
Next Step
The Arduino web site has more information on Arduino-based inventions.