Arduino has just launched a “Plug and Make” kit designed for beginners with an Arduino UNO R4 WiFi board, several “Modulino” modules, a “Modulino” base to neatly attach the UNO R4 and modules, and various cables, spacers, screws, and nuts.
When thinking about Arduino projects, breadboards or even soldering may come to mind, but the new Arduino Plug and Make Kit does not require any of those. No breadboard, jumper wires, or soldering needed. Users can simply connect the modules to the Arduino board through Qwiic cables, neatly attach everything together on the provided base, and follow one of the seven projects complete with step-by-step instructions provided with the kit.
The Arduino Plug and Make Kit content
- Arduino UNO R4 WiFi board
- 7x Modulino I2C nodes
- Modulino Knob* – Encoder for value adjustments
- Modulino Pixels* – 8x LC8822-2020 RGB LEDs
- Modulino Distance – STMicro VL53L4 Time-of-Flight (ToF) proximity sensor to measure distances
- Modulino Movement – 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope (LSM6DSOX) to capture movements like pitch, roll or tilt
- Modulino Buzzer* – Generate alarm sounds or simple tunes
- Modulino Thermo – Temperature and humidity sensor (Renesas HS3003)
- Modulino Buttons* – 3x buttons and 3x yellow LEDs
- * STM32C0 MCU handles I2C communication
- Modulino Base
- USB-C cable with USB-A adapter to power up and upload code to the Arduino board.
- Qwiic cables to connect Modulino nodes and the Arduino board.
- Spacers, screws, and nuts
As noted in the introduction, seven projects with step-by-step instructions (login required) are available:
- Weather Report – Never get caught in the rain again, with a visual reminder to take an umbrella when needed.
- Hourglass: Who needs an egg timer? Customize your own digital hourglass.
- Eco Watch – Monitor your environment using the Modulino Thermo and Modulino Pixels
- Game Controller – Turn your UNO R4 WiFi into a game controller by making it emulate a keyboard and a mouse (HID) device using the Modulino Movement and Buttons modules.
- Sonic Synth – Built a synth with the buzzer module
- Smart Lights – Build a connected smart lamp with the Modulino Pixels
- Touchless Lamp – Similar as above but controllable by waving your hand using the Modulino Distance module
- Weather Report – Weather forecast station relying on the Modulino Pixels and the Modulino Knob.
- Hourglass – Digital hourglass using 3 Modulinos.
More projects will be released online over time.
The Arduino Plug and Make Kit is available now for $87.36 or €78 on the Arduino Store and through distributors.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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