Interactive artists should read this:
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2011/02/why-the-arduino-won-and-why-its-here-to-stay.html
“Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It’s intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments.
The best way to describe an Arduino is with a few examples.
Want to have a coffee pot tweet when the coffee is ready? Arduino.
Want to have plushie steaks glow? Arduino.
How about getting an alert on your phone when there’s physical mail in your mailbox? Arduino.
Want to have a Professor X Steampunk wheelchair that speaks and dispenses booze? Arduino.
Want to make a set of quiz buzzers for an event out of Staples Easy Buttons? Arduino.
Want to make a light-up arm cannon from Metroid for your son? Arduino.
Want to make your own heart rate monitor for cycling that logs to a memory card? Arduino.
Want to make a robot that draws on the ground, or rides around in the snow? Arduino.
Digital Art + Culture 