Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) describes the vast network of physical objects, or "things," that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the internet. This network extends internet connectivity beyond traditional devices like computers and smartphones to a wide range of everyday and industrial items, from smart home appliances and wearable fitness trackers to automated factory equipment and connected vehicles. By enabling these objects to collect and share data with minimal human intervention, IoT facilitates a more direct integration of the physical world into computer-based systems, resulting in improved efficiency, accuracy, and economic benefit through automation and real-time insights.

Arduino Programming and Interfacing is a foundational skill in physical computing that involves writing code, typically in a simplified C/C++ environment, to control an Arduino microcontroller. This process enables the creation of interactive electronic projects by "interfacing," or connecting, the Arduino board with a vast range of external components, including sensors to gather data from the physical world (like temperature or light) and actuators to perform actions (like spinning a motor or lighting an LED). As a key building block for the Internet of Things (IoT), mastering Arduino allows developers to rapidly prototype and build the intelligent hardware at the core of smart, connected devices that sense, process, and interact with their environment.

Arduino motor control is the practice of using a programmable Arduino microcontroller to precisely manage the operation—including speed, direction, and position—of various electric motors like DC, servo, and stepper motors. This is accomplished by writing code that sends control signals, often using Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), from the Arduino's digital output pins to a dedicated motor driver circuit, which is necessary to handle the higher power requirements of the motor itself. As a core component of robotics, automation, and physical computing, it represents a practical application of computer science principles to create interactive systems and is a foundational element for many Internet of Things (IoT) devices that need to manipulate their physical environment.

The Raspberry Pi is a low-cost, credit-card-sized single-board computer that serves as a powerful, accessible tool for learning fundamental computer science concepts and building Internet of Things (IoT) applications. By running a full operating system and providing General-Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) pins, it allows users to write code that directly controls electronic components like sensors, lights, and motors. This unique ability to bridge software with the physical world makes the Raspberry Pi a popular choice as the central 'brain' for prototyping smart devices, enabling it to collect data, process information, and communicate over a network to create interactive, connected systems.