Components and project essentials
Get to know the ingredients in our tutorials: what they do, how they connect, and what to check before choosing one. Reuse the parts you already have when their specifications match.
Boards and essentials
Uno R3 compatible board
A widely available 5 V board for learning inputs, outputs, and simple control.
Computer and local network
Use a computer you already own to program boards or run automation software.
USB data cable
Carries program uploads, serial data, and power to a development board.
Solderless breadboard
Connect a small circuit without soldering.
Jumper wires
Short reusable leads connect boards, breadboards, and modules.
Digital multimeter
Check resistance, continuity, and low-voltage power before debugging code.
ESP32 development board
A low-cost controller with networking for standalone sensors.
Microphone and speaker
Capture a spoken command and hear the result.
Small hand tools
Basic tools for mounting and examining low-voltage projects.
Software
Arduino IDE and board support
The editor and toolchain used to compile and upload Arduino sketches.
Home Assistant
A local hub for device state, dashboards, and automations.
Node-RED
Build small automations by connecting message-processing nodes.
Mosquitto MQTT broker and clients
Pass small messages between sensors and automations.
Signals and controls
Indicator LED
A small indicator that makes program state visible.
Resistors
Limit current, define input states, and divide voltages.
Capacitors
Reduce brief supply disturbances or smooth changing signals.
Momentary pushbutton
A physical input for toggles, counters, and acknowledgements.
10 kΩ potentiometer
A knob that turns position into a measurable voltage.
Infrared remote control
Reuse an old remote as a low-cost set of wireless buttons.
74HC595 shift register
Set eight digital outputs using three controller pins.
Analog joystick module
Read two axes and a pushbutton from an inexpensive thumb stick.
Mechanical rotary encoder
Turn a knob indefinitely to adjust a setting.
SPI-capable logic level shifter
Translate logic between 5 V and 3.3 V devices.
Sensors
HC-SR501 PIR module
Detect changes in infrared radiation caused by movement across a scene.
38 kHz infrared receiver
Receive commands from a common infrared remote.
HC-SR04 ultrasonic distance module
Estimate distance by timing an ultrasound echo.
RC522 RFID reader and tag
Read a nearby 13.56 MHz tag for identification experiments.
Motion and power
SG90-style positional servo
Move a light pointer or mechanism to a commanded angle.
Continuous rotation servo
A compact motor and driver controlled with servo-style pulses.
Regulated 5 V supply
Power motors or modules without asking GPIO pins to supply their current.
5 V 28BYJ-48 stepper motor
A cheap geared motor for slow, repeatable movements.
ULN2003 stepper driver board
Switches the coil current of a small unipolar stepper.
PN2222A NPN transistor
Switch a small load using a modest base current.
Displays
MAX7219 8×8 matrix module
Show a compact status symbol or bar graph with few wires.