Arduino Adventures: Escape from Gemini Station provides a fun introduction to the Arduino microcontroller by putting you (the reader) into the action of a science fiction adventure story. You'll find yourself following along as Cade and Elle explore Gemini Station—an orbiting museum dedicated to preserving and sharing technology throughout the centuries.

Trouble ensues. The station is evacuated, including Cade and Elle's class that was visiting the station on a field trip. Cade and Elle don’t make it aboard their shuttle and are trapped on the station along with a friendly artificial intelligence named Andrew who wants to help them get off the damaged station. Using some old hardware, a laptop, and some toolboxes full of electronics parts, you will follow along and build eight gizmos with Cade and Elle that will help them escape from Gemini Station.

The hardware is Arduino. Each new challenge opens a new area of Arduino and basic electronics knowledge. You’ll be taken incrementally from a simple task such as turning on a light through to a complex combination of microcontroller, electronic components, and software programming. By the end of the book you’ll be well on your way towards being able to create and implement any sort of electronically controlled device you can imagine, using the stunningly popular Arduino microcontroller.

Provides eight challenges, each challenge increasing in complexityBuilds around a fictional storyline that keeps the learning funLeaves you on a solid foundation of electronic skills and knowledge

James Floyd Kelly is a professional writer from Atlanta, Georgia. He has written numerous books on multiple subjects, including LEGO robotics, open source software, and building your own CNC machine as well as a 3D printer. He is the editor-in-chief of the number one MINDSTORMS NXT blog, The NXT Step (TheNXTStep.com), where he is joined by fellow NXT experts who share their knowledge and designs with other robot fans around the world.

Introduction

Challenge #1: Potentiometer

1. Trouble at Gemini Station

2. Challenge 1: Fun Stuff to now

3. Challenge 1: Examining the Hardware

4. Challenge 1: Examining the Software

Challenge 2: LED Flashlight

5. Damage Assessment

6. Challenge 2: Fun Stuff to Know

7. Challenge 2: Gathering Hardware

8. Challenge 2: Examining Software

Challenge 3: Temperature

9. Feeling the Heat

10. Challenge 3: Fun Stuff to Know

11. Challenge 3: Examining the Hardware

12. Challenge 3: Examining the Software

Challenge 4: Bucket Mover

13. Uninvited Guest

14. Challenge 4: Fun Stuff to Know

15. Challenge 4: Gathering Hardware

16. Challenge 4: Examining the Software

Challenge 5: Motion Detector

17. Hide and Seek

18. Challenge 5: Fun Stuff to Know

19. Challenge 5: Examining the Hardware

20. Challenge 5: Examining the Software

Challenge 6: Servo Motor

21. Carousel Ride

22. Challenge 6: Fun Stuff to Know

23. Challenge 6: Gathering Hardware

24. Challenge 6: Examining Software

Challenge 7: Remote Control

25. Push the Button

26. Challenge 7: Fun Stuff to Know

27. Challenge 7: Gathering Hardware

28. Challenge 7: Examining Software

Challenge 8: Robot

29. Off the Station

30. Challenge 8: Fun Stuff to Know

31. Challenge 8: Gathering Hardware

32. Challenge 8: Examining Software

33. Epilogue

Appendix A: Parts List