Exploring the World of Arduino: A Journey into Smart Hardware Applications

On December 7-8, 2024, the Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University International Innovation Port collaborated with Dusuhu Youth Innovation Port and Chaihuo Maker Space to successfully complete the Arduino Smart Hardware Application Course at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University.

The first day of the course began with a background in maker culture. Chaihuo Maker Space’s technical mentor Yang Wanli explained the development of the maker movement in China and abroad, while Yang Yong, Deputy Minister of the Innovation Education Department of the Suzhou Dusuhu Lake Entrepreneurship Development Center, introduced the Sino-US Youth Maker Competition. The course then transitioned into the teaching section, where Teacher Yang Wanli led everyone through numerous case studies to learn about the application of open-source hardware in industry scenarios, exploring the extended scenarios of deploying open-source hardware in various industries.

After gaining a foundational understanding of the open-source community and the open-source hardware industry, the course moved into the technical learning phase. Teacher Yang introduced students to hardware knowledge and the basic functions of Arduino, as well as general knowledge of open-source software and how to call software resources. While learning the theoretical knowledge of Arduino programming, students actively debugged hardware devices through a series of practical projects, such as using the Loop function to make an LED blink, adjusting the Delay values to change the blinking frequency, using reference code to debug and make the buzzer play songs, and using Digital functions and If statements to connect modules, laying a solid foundation for the project outcomes of the subsequent course.

The second day of the course introduced the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to explore how to apply open technology to facilitate the realization of SDGs. Teacher Yang introduced the 17 goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and shared some cases of smart hardware and software innovations combined with SDGs.

Subsequently, course participants worked in groups to produce graduation projects based on pain points related to SDGs encountered in daily life and study, considering how to combine Arduino with technology for good and create small hardware that can achieve specific functions.

Traditional video games often center around visual and auditory design, which poses significant barriers for visually and hearing-impaired individuals. With technological advancements, creating a more inclusive gaming experience through tactile and auditory feedback has become a viable and promising direction. This project aims to combine tactile and auditory feedback to create an interactive gaming experience optimized for infants, visually and hearing-impaired individuals, and other similar groups, overcoming the limitations of traditional video games in visual and auditory design. Inspired by the Braille system and vibrating controllers, we plan to utilize Arduino development boards and controller modules to design interactive learning games that combine touch and auditory feedback to help users recognize letters, numbers, and basic knowledge through touch and sound in the game. These games not only provide an inclusive experience for visually and hearing-impaired individuals but also promote early education for infants, encouraging them to explore and learn in a safe environment. The project will be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of “Quality Education” and “Reduced Inequality,” ensuring equal learning opportunities and enjoyment of games for individuals with different abilities and physical conditions.

In real life, we often face challenges in managing study and work time. For instance, distractions from smartphones and other external information can lead to scattered attention and procrastination; or due to pressure and anxiety, one may struggle to balance work and rest. Therefore, we need a simpler alarm clock to avoid distractions from smart devices, allowing people to focus more on their tasks. The existing products on the market are often expensive and overly complicated, so we hope to develop an open-source program written in Arduino that makes it easier for people to DIY their own alarm clock. The Pomodoro Timer is suitable for various scenarios; during study, students can set the Pomodoro Timer for 25 minutes to focus on memorizing vocabulary while blocking smartphone distractions, followed by a short break after the countdown ends. In work scenarios, copywriters can start the Pomodoro Timer to focus on writing paragraphs during each interval, relaxing after the alarm rings. When simulating usage, users can set the focus and break durations, click start, and the interface will display a countdown. Tasks can be marked as completed or interrupted, and users can review time utilization data to optimize their plans afterward.

Traditional fire alarms (such as smoke detectors and temperature sensors) can issue alerts during the early stages of a fire, but they often rely on a single sensing method and may have issues of false alarms and missed alarms. Additionally, traditional devices lack remote monitoring and real-time response capabilities, failing to inform users of the specific situation or location of a fire in a timely manner. With the rapid development of smart home and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, more and more households and commercial environments are beginning to focus on integrating smart devices. The Smart Fire Alarm project is based on this trend, attempting to combine fire monitoring systems with IoT to provide real-time remote monitoring, alarms, and automated control functions. By linking with other smart home devices (such as smart lighting and temperature control systems), the project aims to enhance the speed and accuracy of fire prevention responses. It is also inspired by the urgent need to improve fire safety and reduce fire losses. The smart fire alarm can perform comprehensive monitoring through various sensors (such as infrared, temperature, brightness, gas concentration, etc.) to accurately identify the specific conditions of a fire, avoiding false alarms and missed alarms. At the same time, the alarm can remind people to evacuate and provide more effective response measures.

Due to the lack of attention to waste classification in daily life, trash cans often suffer from poor hygiene. This smart trash can is beneficial for perceiving and managing the trash inside. When users approach the trash can, the ultrasonic sensor detects their presence and automatically lights up to indicate that the lid can be opened. After the user disposes of trash, the trash can automatically closes. When the water sensor detects water accumulation at the bottom of the can, it lights up to prompt the user to clean it. If the flame sensor detects an abnormal temperature, it lights up to alert the user to check and address the issue.

When people travel or are away for extended periods, their home plants often go unattended. Over time, these once-thriving plants may lose vitality, with yellowing and wilting leaves, and may even die before their owners return, which is quite regrettable. A semi-automatic device can help plants grow healthily while also purifying the air and improving the environment. The device features a highly sensitive fire warning system that immediately alerts users upon detecting anomalies, ensuring home safety and enhancing quality of life. The device continuously monitors environmental temperature and humidity, reminding users to water the plants when humidity falls below a set value. It also continuously detects light frequency, and if flames are detected, it immediately issues an alarm.

In urban living, many people want to try growing flowers, grass, or vegetables on their balconies but often fail. There are even instances where successfully grown produce is stolen by neighbors. Therefore, we were inspired to create a balcony gardening assistant that can collect soil data in real-time, provide additional light, and prevent theft, helping more people who want to experience planting. The soil moisture sensor monitors soil humidity in real-time, while the temperature and humidity sensor detects the air environment. When light is insufficient, the supplemental light automatically turns on to provide red, blue, and purple light. If environmental noise is abnormal, or if the crops experience unusual movement or fire, the buzzer will sound an alarm. Users can manage their home farms conveniently based on sensor data, such as manually watering plants when soil humidity is low or taking temperature control measures when abnormalities are detected, ensuring a good growth environment for the crops.

“This workshop was lively and interesting, combining theory and practice, and I benefited greatly. I am a hardware novice majoring in Applied Mathematics, but I have always had a strong interest in the field of smart hardware. Through this workshop, I not only mastered the theoretical foundation of hardware and Arduino but also learned many real-world cases of makers and enterprise SDG project examples. I gained valuable practical experience by hands-on Arduino development, and I especially thank the instructors for their patient help.”

—— Li, Applied Mathematics Major

“As an electrical engineering student, my passion for Arduino began in high school. This workshop provided a more systematic and professional teaching experience, which not only deepened my programming knowledge but also gave me the opportunity to create creative projects integrating sensors. The experience of teamwork was very beneficial, and the high degree of freedom provided by the workshop became a perfect platform for us to explore and realize our ideas. The makers’ competition mentioned by the instructor sparked my enthusiasm and ignited my creative spark. I look forward to applying my professional knowledge and experience to practice and bring innovative solutions to the world.”

—— Li, Electrical Engineering Major

“I had already been exposed to knowledge and practical operations related to Arduino in middle and high school, but my understanding of code and components was not deep at that time. After this workshop, in conjunction with the knowledge I learned in my daily major, I not only completely resolved my doubts about Arduino but also experienced the joy of applying what I learned through practical applications and product outcomes. This was a very valuable event, and I sincerely thank the instructors for their guidance!”

—— Kong, Computer Science and Technology Major

“After participating in the Arduino Basic Hardware Training jointly organized by Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University International Innovation Port and Dusuhu Lake Youth Innovation Port, it felt like opening a new door to the world of smart hardware. From knowing nothing about Arduino to building circuits and writing code to realize functions, every step was a challenge and a gain. The instructors’ patient guidance made complex knowledge easy to understand. This training not only allowed me to master new skills but also ignited my passion for innovative practice, making me realize the infinite possibilities of combining creativity with technology. I look forward to delving deeper into related fields and achieving something in the future.”

—— Zhang, Electrical Engineering Major