Arduino Esplora

Shaped like a game controller, the new, just launched Arduino Esplora provides a built-in, ready-to-use set of onboard sensors, targeted for user interaction and designed to be used out of the box.

Arduino has just launched the new Arduino Esplora, a ready-to-use, easy-to-hold controller that allows for exploration without having to deal with breadboards or soldering. The board is designed to be used out of the box without extra parts: with many sensors and actuators already installed, the board combines an Arduino-compatible processor with a light sensor, a temperature sensor, a 3-axis accelerometer, a joystick, a set of pushbuttons, a slider, an RGB LED, and a buzzer.

The Esplora can emulate a mouse or keyboard, allowing creation of a customised controller for musical software, 3D modeling tools, or a word processor, among many other applications that can be programmed.

Derived from the Arduino Leonardo, the Esplora differs from all preceding boards in that it provides a built-in, ready-to-use set of onboard sensors, targeted for user interaction. Like the Arduino Leonardo it has a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a micro USB connection, an ICSP header, and a reset button. It contains everything needed to support the microcontroller, and built-in USB communication; it simply needs to be connected to a computer with a USB cable to get started.

The new Arduino Esplora (front)
The new Arduino Esplora (front)

Arduino, the first widespread Open Source Hardware platform, was launched in 2005 to simplify the process of electronic prototyping. It enables everyday people with little or no technical background to build interactive products.The Arduino ecosystem is a combination of three different elements: a small electronic board manufactured in Italy that makes it easy and affordable to learn to program a microcontroller, a type of tiny computer found inside millions of everyday objects; a free software application used to program the board; and a vibrant community, true expression of the enthusiasm powering the project.

The new Arduino Esplora (rear)