Today, worldwide, Arduino it is estimated as one of the most important hardware and software development companiesBecause she has been the main driving force behind the maker movement, which consists of the most relevant extension of what is the “do it yourself” (DIY) cultureTherefore, it has been the main base for electronics and mechanical projects, robotics with Arduino boards, etc.
Basically, this is because, in addition to providing various plate models that can adapt to any type of project, Arduino also offers its own software. and boasts a large community of creators, designers, and developers who present new ideas every day to grow this culture that has gained great momentum.
Now, given the capabilities shown by ArduinoMany users wonder if this can be linked to the Android operating system in any way. Therefore, in this post, we will detail how. What can you do on your smartphone with Arduino to create modern projects?simplifying remote programming and data synchronization.
Discover the best Android projects with Arduino that you can create to enhance your smartphone
Fortunately, aside from providing a tantalizing interface between computers and everyday objects, Arduino is also present in the mobile space because it has managed to expand its functionality in numerous ways. Thanks to this, it is possible Control Arduino using a mobile device running AndroidWhether it's a smartphone or a tablet. Arduino It offers a great opportunity to users of this operating system to enhance their teams.
From there, to be able to create modern projects that allow interaction with the real physical world from anywhere in the world using gadgets. Taking into account that, by its nature, Android He is an ideal candidate for easy integration with the open source from ArduinoAs a result, an Android device can be used to control all the functions of the Arduino through helpful apps.
In that regard, we invite you to learn about the solutions that allow Arduino to be linked with Android to optimize the user experience:
Bluino Loader – Arduino IDE
Available on Google Play Store for freeThis mobile application consists of an Arduino IDE software that provides the necessary tools to compile your code, quickly and easily, with the goal of creating a file to upload to one or more Arduino boards via USB OTGThus, Bluino Loader for Android stands out for its availability for Upload sketches via USB OTG and via Bluetooth.
In addition, it allows programming different models of Arduino boards, such as: UNO Arduino, Arduino Nano, Arduino Pro Mini, Arduino Duemilanove and Arduino Mega 2560Additionally, it's an app that accepts any USB controller (CDC/ACM, FTDI, PL2303, CH34X, and CP210X), offers utility for opening or editing sketches in various file formats thanks to its broad compatibility, and also allows for content adjustment. It features an automatic save mode and support for redo and undo, etc..
Blynk
Another solution that relates Arduino with AndroidIt is based on an option that offers the possibility of developing Arduino projects that They have direct access to the event trigger on the various boards provided by this renowned company. The Blynk mobile app, available on the Google Play Store, supports several Arduino boards, including: Uno, Nano, Mini, Pro Mini, Pro Micro, Mega, YÚN (Bridge) and Due.
Furthermore, it does not require advanced knowledge to perform it, since it only requires Configure the widgets and upload the required code (Blynk Sketch Code) to the board. in just five minutes. Among other details, we highlight that the app requires an optimal internet connection to function correctly. Otherwise, Blynk won't allow you to do any work.
Arduino Bluetooth Controller
If you would like to Use your Android device as a Bluetooth remote control for the microcontrollerYou can achieve this by using this mobile app to enhance your device's performance. Since it's a utility designed for easily control, monitor, and manage Arduino contactsas well as to access basic control functions via Bluetooth.
Therefore, when the mobile phone is connected to the Arduino board via Bluetooth, The control will be simpleAt that point, you will only need to launch the application and search for the Bluetooth device to establish a connectionAfter that, you will be able to send commands via configurable buttons or using the keyboard.
Taking into account that, by default, the app offers several tools to simplify its execution, and these refer to:
- Buttons with arrowsThey manage to regulate the sending of data to the board.
- MetricsThese are responsible for transmitting data from the Arduino device. They also provide a function to send information by shaking the mobile phone or tablet.
- Voice controlBasically, it's a utility that allows you to establish direct contact with robots. To do this, you can create your own commands and use them to control your Arduino.
- Bus TerminalIt consists of a standard terminal that sends data to the card with timestamps and also receives them.
- AccelerometerThis allows the smartphone to function as a steering wheel to control the Arduino project. In this case, movements are used to create commands.
Power strips controlled from your mobile phone
It consists of a project that It is based on the Internet of ThingsThis is a technology that is gaining a lot of power in the world and that allows its users control each of your gadgets or appliances from a mobile deviceHowever, given that it is not economical, many members of the maker community have begun to to promote their ideas based on this technology.
In this regard, one of the projects that has attracted attention for connecting Android and Arduino refers to a power strip controlled via smartphoneTherefore, individual sockets can be switched on or activated. using voice recognition technology o with just the touch of a button on the app. Taking into account that they also created a custom app for the current home automation prototype project.
Now, to carry out this DIY project, you will need several materials on hand: an Android device and the app provided for it, an Arduino Uno board, an HC-05 series Bluetooth module, a 2.2 K Ohm ¼ (5x) resistor and a low-power switched-mode power supplyAs well as, 5 NPN 2N3904 transistors, 5 6V relays, a solderless dot matrix breadboard and jumper wires.
Virtuino
It refers to a mobile app that you can find, for free, on the Play Store for Control your Arduino projects and combine them into a single unit.Since it has the necessary features to allow Arduino control via Bluetooth, the internet, Wi-Fi, or an Internet of Things server, it's a great solution for optimizing your Android's performance. when undertaking projects in the maker world.
Fortunately, It's a simple app to use which doesn't require advanced knowledge. So once you download it, you'll just have to install the Arduino IDE library To proceed, connect one of the available modules to the board you want to use. Next, you will need to Choose the indicated example from the Virtuino library to follow the instructions and with them, manage to design their first project using Arduino.
Bluetooth Controller 8 Lamp
Specifically, this is a mobile application that features an interface characterized by provide a total of eight buttons that correspond to each lamp with which a specific Arduino project will be formed. Therefore, it is created using the Bluetooth modules HC-05, HC-06 and HC-07 This facilitates the control of eight channels, making it easier to adjust the Arduino's operation, conveniently and quickly.
Users will have the option to Connect modular relays of up to 8 channels fixed to electronic devices which, by nature, operate on a 220V voltage (televisions, fans, lamps, etc.). Among other details, we highlight that the Bluetooth Controller 8 Lamp constantly displays advertisements that, It can only be removed by paying for the premium version.Which also provides the indicated option to be able to synchronizing the media in a project of this type.
Autonomous pursuit robot
This is a project that combines the power of any obsolete or second-hand Android device with auxiliary hardware and open-source software. It consists of an autonomous robot that It has the ability to chase any object you throw at it. and, moreover, it achieves easily distinguish colors.
This robot, made with Android and Arduino, also... can avoid obstacles along the way to offer a better experience. Fortunately, it's a project that It does not reveal a large expenditure on materials., given that the total cost of its construction It is less than 400 eurosincluding the mobile device used.
Considering that this bot only It requires the following components: An Android smartphone, an Arduino protoshield, an IOIO-OTG board, a 25C 2S 1500 mAh 7.4V LiPo battery, 4 infrared sensors, a Micro Bluetooth USB adapter, a brushless motor truck, an RN42-XV Bluetooth module to communicate with the laptop, an Xbee shield for Arduino, and a pan and tilt kit.
RemoteXY: Arduino Control
Basically, this is a mobile app that allows users create your own individual and customized graphical interface in connection with your website which is “remotexy.com”Therefore, it's one of the simplest solutions for creating and using a mobile graphical user interface for controller cards. It allows you to develop this interface and also provides the necessary tools for... load it into the controller.
Thanks to this application, you can connect, control, and manage it through a graphical interface that It is compatible with various elements, such as: switch, button, slider, joystick, select, LED, timer, text printing, etc. In addition, it's worth noting that this source code generator project supports several boards, including: Arduino Uno, Arduino Nano, Arduino Micro, Arduino Mega, Arduino Pro Mini and Arduino Leonardo.
Among other features of interest, we find that it is an app that facilitates the connection between the controller and the mobile device. via Bluetooth, Ethernet IP or URL, USB OTG, WiFi client and access pointIn addition, it is compatible with the following communication modules: bluetooth HC-05, HC-06, bluetooth BLE HM-10, W5100 Ethernet shield and ESP8266 Wi-Fi.
ArduinoDroid
Without a doubt, it's one of the best Android solutions for Arduino available to enhance your mobile device for managing the various projects that Arduino simplifies. It's a free app that allows you to Edit, compile, and download thumbnails to your Arduino board. without using a computer. Furthermore, it allows you to create new code and even... download previously programmed code and/or edit open source code.
In that sense, it is a suitable utility for uploading sketches to different Arduino boards, such as: Uno, Uno R3, ESP8266, Nano, Pro, Pro Micro, Pro Mini, Mega 2560 and LeonardoAdditionally, it provides real-time diagnostics for errors and warnings to provide corrections, and also has a small built-in keyboard and a file browser. It works offline and has USB host support, as well as WiFi..
A miniature remote-controlled car
This is a project that implements the construction of a small autonomous car that It is able to detect obstacles in its path and avoid them without any help.Thus, it is an idea that offers great implementability thanks to its modular design, which increases the vehicle's capacity, as well as remarkable modularity and maintainability so that it is easy to modify, optimize, and repair.
Fortunately, it doesn't require a large investment to carry it out, and it's a project that Connect the power of an Android device with the versatility of Arduino boardsWe need to have the following materials on hand to obtain a quality result: an Arduino Mega, an Android device of your choice, a 1/10 scale R/C car, a servo motor, an HC-05 Bluetooth module, three ultrasonic distance sensors and an electronic speed controller.
Like, a speed encoder to configure for each wheel, three SHARP infrared sensors, an L3G4200D gyroscope, two infrared arrays, an R/C receiver, an LED, several resistors and transistors.
Discover the best boards for developing Android projects with Arduino from scratch
To conclude this post, it's worth highlighting some of the best motherboards you can use for Create, build, and develop Arduino projects with Arduino starting from scratch.
These are the most useful, versatile, and effective for this purpose:
Arduino Uno
This is one of the main Arduino boards, thanks to its compatibility. Therefore, It can be used with various mobile apps available for Android. in order to control and manage your different Arduino projects from a device running on that OS. This board is based on an ATMega328 microcontroller and It has a total of 14 digital input and output pins, as well as 6 analog inputs..
Thus, it is characterized by being equipped with sets of digital and analog I/O pins that They can be connected to various expansion boards and other circuitsAmong other features, it includes a female USB connector, an ICSP connector, a reset button, a 16 MHz ceramic resonator, and a power supply jack. Typically, It handles an input voltage between 7 and 12VWhile Its operating voltage is 5VIn addition, it contains 32 KB of flash memory, of which 0.5 KB are used only by the Bootloader.
Arduino Nano
It refers to another Arduino solution that provides great support for Android-compatible utilities and is a small board. based on the ATMega328 microcontroller like the famous Arduino UnoIt is generally considered a board designed to work mounted on a breadboard, and this design was developed by the company Gravitech. Among its technical specifications, we highlight that Its input voltage is 5V and it supports a power supply voltage of 7-12V DC.
It does not have an external power connector, and that is why, It works with a USB Mini-B cable.In addition, it has a clock frequency of 16 MHz, its FLASH memory is 32 KB and 2 KB of these are used by the Bootloader which allows it to be programmed without an external programmer; in addition, it has 14 digital pins and 8 analog inputsIt is also worth noting that it has an integrated ICSP connector for programming, a reset button, an automatic reset, and an LED. a voltage regulator.
Arduino Mega 2560
It consists of a robust Arduino board that It is based on the powerful ATMega2560 microprocessor And it has the capacity to carry out any project, regardless of its level of difficulty. This, primarily, stands out from the rest because provide much greater speed than the Arduino Uno board And, like this one, the Mega 2560 operates in the Arduino integrated development environment with complete efficiency.
In addition, due to its processor, this is a motherboard that It has a total of 54 digital input and output pinsOf these, 15 provide a pulse-width modulation (PWM) output. In addition to these, there are also It has 16 analog pins And thanks to these characteristics, it has four times more power than the Arduino Uno. Other than that, supports USB connection with ATMega16U2 processor For interaction with the computer, it has a power supply port and a reset button.
