5 Reasons To Learn Arduino

For most people, the idea of building a new tech device from scratch seems more than a little daunting. Fortunately, we have Arduino, which makes the process so much more accessible. Even if you’ve never coded or touched a breadboard before, you can learn Arduino with a little bit of time and patience.

So, with that in mind, we wanted to take a look at a few of the reasons why you should be learning to build with Arduino.

What is Arduino?

First and foremost, it’s imperative that we cover the basics before we dive into this list. For the uninitiated, Arduino is an open-source electronics and coding platform that allows anyone to build and program all kinds of devices.

There are a few different Arduino boards out there, but they are all designed around the same idea – that anyone should be able to build the device of their imagination. Arduino sets are simple electrical devices that allow you connect all kinds of wires and components together to make both simple and complex machinery.

From blinking LED lights to internet-connected toaster ovens and alarm systems, Arduino offers unprecedented access to the world of technology. If this sounds interesting to you, then read on as to why you should be learning it right now.

#1 Arduino Has A Low Bar of Entry

If you wanted to build a sophisticated electronic device, how much do you think it will cost? How many hours do you think it would take to make it functional? Chances are that you’re way off on both counts.

One of the really incredible things about this system is that everything about it is cheap. An Arduino board is less than $20 (in some cases, less than $10), and most accessories cost a few bucks. Overall, you can build almost anything for a lower price than you would find it at the store. Best of all, the pride you get from designing and building it yourself is priceless, making it even more valuable.

But what about the programming side of things? Doesn’t that take years to master and countless hours to get it right? While some programming languages fit that bill, Arduino does not. Now, we’re not saying that it’s so easy a caveman can do it, but you shouldn’t be discouraged by it either.

For most people, building a few simple projects (like a blinking LED light) is enough to familiarize themselves with the basics of Arduino code. From there, it’s a matter of learning how to incorporate different elements to achieve various functions.

When you break it down, coding and programming are all about telling a computer what to do. After a while, you start to figure out the fundamentals and then the sky’s the limit as to what you can achieve afterward.

#2 Become a Programmer in Less Time

As you can imagine, if Arduino can teach you the basics of coding without having to spend a ton of time and money on a degree, you can become a certified programmer in a fraction of the time.

These days, coding is in high demand, which means that it’s a reliable and lucrative career option for many people. As long as you have the discipline and perseverance to make it your day job, then you will never have a shortage of work at your disposal.

Thankfully, Arduino is simple enough that you can teach kids how to use it as well. Thus, if your children are interested in being coders or programmers, you can start them on the path to a better career at a much earlier age. Rather than waiting for an expensive college degree, your kid can start creating things before he or she has entered high school.

#3 Build Cool Stuff

While there is an intellectual benefit to using Arduino, we can’t undermine the “wow” factor of it as well. Simply put, there is no limit to the kinds of machines you can create when you have an open-ended system like this.

Here are a few examples of projects that people have built with Arduino.

● Fingerprint Scanner: upgrading the security system at your home or office has never been easier. With Arduino, you just have to install the right components and let the coding do the rest.

● Motion-Activated Alarm System: we promise that high-tech security systems are not all you can do with this device. That being said, how cool is it that you can turn your home (or bedroom) into a maximum security facility without having to pay for armed guards and walls?

● Robotic Arm: how awesome would it be to have a robot doing your dishes? While that may require a bit more technical expertise than you can learn online, robot arms are not too complicated with Arduino. The hardest part is figuring out how to use it (and making sure it doesn’t rise against you).

● Weather Reader: you can find all kinds of instruments that are compatible with Arduino. Humidity, temperature, and barometric pressure can all be read with this system, and you can display the information however you like. In fact, you can even connect the weather reader to another device to make your life more convenient. For example, if the temperature drops outside, you can have your system automatically crank up the heat in your house.

Want to see more beginner projects? Click here to read “7 Arduino Projects For Beginners”.

These are just a few of the remarkable things that you can do with Arduino. However, your imagination is the only limitation here. Remember, most components and parts are really cheap, so you can create a fully integrated device for much less than you would think.

#4 Become a Problem-Solver

Even though Arduino is based in technology and electronics, the lessons you learn in building these projects can apply to all areas of your life. Since learning and problem-solving are essential to every aspect of modern civilization, you can enhance your capabilities once you start building with this system.

As we mentioned, programming is nothing more than telling a computer what to do. You have to input parameters and then conditions for every action. For example, when you hit the “enter” key on a keyboard, you can tell the computer to make a meowing noise.

When it comes to figuring out how to solve complex problems in your life, it’s easier to break it down into manageable parts when you approach it like you would an Arduino project. Not only will this make you better at dealing with issues, but it will help reduce stress and give you more confidence.

These same benefits also apply to your kids. When they learn how to build things with Arduino, they will be better at school and will be able to handle problems that would make other kids get frustrated. Once again, a foundation in Arduino can lead to lifelong success!

#5 Build a Foundation for a Career

Are you ready for a change? Are you tired of dealing with the same old grind day after day? If so, then you’ve probably thought about shifting gears and changing careers. However, for many people, it’s not that easy.

Learning Arduino, however, can make the process so much simpler and more accessible. Rather than thinking about how much time and energy you would have to invest in getting an education to switch jobs, you can use your experience and expertise at Arduino to make something happen in less time.

● Do you want to become a programmer? Learn Arduino.

● Do you want to build tech devices for consumers? Learn Arduino.

● Do you want to have a steady career with a stable future? Learn Arduino.

No matter where you are in life, you can take the lessons learned from Arduino and the projects you create to build a better future for yourself and your family. And, as always, you can inspire your kids to reach for the stars by starting them early with a foundation in programming and electronics.

All of this is not even mentioning the fact that you can use your Arduino crafts as prototypes for different inventions. If you have a revolutionary idea that can become the Next Big Thing, then Arduino will allow you to test it first and work out the kinks.

Imagine if instead of bringing an idea to an investment firm, you had a working model? Think about the kind of success you could have when you’re able to build your invention from scratch!

Simply put, there are countless ways that Arduino can prepare you for a better, more rewarding life. What ways have Arduino impacted your life? Comment below and share your thoughts!