Project description

This project aims to build an open mobile computing platform that can sense, control and interact with the physical environment. The platform should be flexible enough to develop different kind of applications at a very reduced cost.

Our proposal is a mixed solution that combines Android with Arduino. Both open platforms complement each other. On one hand, Arduino provides the microprocessor capabilities (input/output channels) and hardware electronics interface. On the other hand, a android-based mobile phone provides connectivity, high level programming, and the user interface.

• Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. The microcontroller on the board is programmed using the a simple programming language and the Arduino development environment. Arduino projects can be stand-alone or they can communicate with software on running on a computer. The platform is inexpensive, simple, open source (hardware/software) and extensible.

• Android is an open source mobile phone operating system. The OS is based on the linux kernel and capabilities include: Interaction (voice, media, tablet, tangible, sensors); Computation (Java-based programming); Communication (wireless: wifi, 3G, Bluetooth). Multiple smartphones are available in the market and there is a strong community of developers. This device is the driver of the innovation in Information & Communication Technologies (e.g. location-based apps, digital-physical fusion ,social-networking, ...).

The objective of this project is to design and develop an interface for both platforms using the audio channel.