Arduino is an incredibly flexible and easy-to-use physical-computing platform, and with Cool Arduino Projects, you'll put it to work building home automation projects, robotics projects, and even (literally) out-of-this-world projects, including a rocket avionics system. The book will guide you through a variety of projects--some basic, some more advanced, some very practical, and some just plain fun. You'll learn how to create home automation projects such as a DMX light dimmer, an automatic bathroom fan, a proximity touch switch, and even smart clothing linked to Second Life. You'll also discover how to make practical projects like a networked general-purpose device, an irrigation controller, a heart rate biomonitor, and both sun-tracking and web-controlled camera mounts. You will even learn how to create a rocket avionics system and your own electronics lab in a box. You'll get descriptions of the parts required and where to find them, how to assemble them, possible pitfalls, and complete code with explanations. What you'll learn How to modify and automate common household items and even link them to virtual environments How to create a general-purpose networked device with potentially unlimited applications How to create practical projects like an irrigation controller and a heart rate biomonitor How to create fun projects like a self-balancing robot and a rocket avionics system How to create your own electronics lab in a box Tips and tweaks in each chapter that will help you uncover even more potential applications Who this book is for This book is for Arduino fans, ubicomp enthusiasts, robotics hobbyists, and anyone interested in building their own gadgets using the open source Arduino platform.