Open-source electronics platform Arduino is raising funds for ESLOV, a DIY Internet of Things (IoT) kit that anyone can build with.
Arduino has launched a crowdfunding campaign to bring to market an IoT invention kit. ESLOV is targeted toward those with no prior hardware or programming skills and offers a plug-and-play way of creating custom IoT devices.
The Swedish electronics company produces a number of boards, modules, shields, and kits for makers that want to build wearables and IoT devices, but ESLOV represents a switch toward the mass market.
ESLOV consists of intelligent modules that join together, which can be simply plugged in and programmed with easy-to-use software and pre-existing code.
The ESLOV kit will come with up to 25 different modules, including buttons, LEDs, air quality sensors and a microphone, meaning that the type of DIY IoT devices users can build has no limit.
Sample applications from Arduino include a baby monitor, an automatic pet feeder, and a washing machine notifier to alert you when your laundry cycle has finished.
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Arduino’s range of products essentially read inputs, such as a finger on a button or a Twitter message, and turn them into outputs, which can be anything from turning on a light to switching off a thermostat.
Usually, they require the use of Arduino’s very own programing language and the company’s software. But the ESLOV makes things a little simpler, and the provided software only needs the user to draw links from one device to another.
Arduino is dedicated to building open-source products that makers can tailor and adapt to their needs.
A blog post from Arduino on the release says, “Open-source is in our DNA. For years, Arduino has inspired and powered 3D printers, medical and space research, robotics, drones, interactive art, and so much more. We encourage people to study our hardware and software, make changes to it, and share improvements with our ever-growing community.”
“With ESLOV we will continue this tradition. ESLOV’s hardware and software are open-source. We will publish design files and documentation for all modules so that people can understand how they work and create their own. We will also welcome third-party modules from partners and other certified programs.”
Arduino’s ESLOV crowdfunding campaign can be found on Kickstarter. Depending on how many modules you choose to purchase, it will cost between $55 and $499. Delivery is expected in February 2017.