Due Jan 24. In this assignment, you’ll get all the equipment that you’ll need for the semester, install the Arduino coding interface, and begin to acquaint yourself with your board. Finally, you’ll think about when and why we use sensors in cities.
- Buy the ELEGOO UNO Project Super Starter Kit. Note that this kit comes with an off-brand Arduino UNO R3, which is the microcontroller we will work with in class. The ELEGOO microcontroller is fine and less expensive. Since Arduino is open source it is legal for ELEGOO to copy their product. Also note that we will be using the tutorial book distributed by ELEGOO. This is included on a CD, but you may prefer to download it from here.
- Install the Arduino IDE on your laptop. (Note: if you’re on Windows, choose the installer, not the app.) Pay attention to where you’re installing it — you’ll need to access this folder again next week.
- Read Chapters 1 and 2 of Arduino for Dummies, available on Canvas > Files > Readings.
- Read a few articles on sensors and cities to get better acquainted with how cities are, can, and should be using sensors.
- Read: Barcelona: The most wired city (There is a link the a pdf of this article in Canvas > Files > Readings if you do not have access.)
- Read: A Smarter City: Could the fix for what ails Philly lay in the Kenney administration’s approach to urban technology?
- Read this short, prescient article written by Mark Weiser in 1996 (over 25 years ago!) on ubiquitous computing: Weiser_OpenHouse
- Reflect on the last lecture and articles. Is there value in a digital, electronically-enabled urban public realm? What opportunities do you see? What cautions? Be prepared to discuss.
- The Barcelona article suggests that city management will be fundamentally different in 10 years. The article was written 5 years ago. Do you think we’ve seen the anticipated shift?
- What sensing would you be interested to see in Philadelphia?
- What do you think about ubiquitous computing?
- For our next class, bring your laptop and Arduino kit.