Arduino is a popular
open-source single-board microcontroller, descendant of the open-source
Wiring platform, designed to make the process of using electronics in multidisciplinary projects more accessible. The hardware consists of a simple open hardware design for the Arduino board with an
Atmel AVR processor and on-board
input/output support. The software consists of a standard programming language compiler and the
boot loader that runs on the board.
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.
Current versions can be purchased pre-assembled; hardware design information is available for those who would like to assemble an Arduino by hand. Additionally, variations of the Italian-made Arduino—with varying levels of compatibility—have been released by third parties; some of them are programmed using the Arduino software.
The Arduino project received an honorary mention in the Digital Communities category at the 2006 Prix Ars Electronica.
Read more at Arduino
