For something a little less challenging than a self-balancing robot, check out this automated Pez dispenser by Hazim Bitar. An Arduino board takes readings from an ultrasonic distance sensor under the dispenser, and when a a hand or object comes close - a servo whips open the head of the dispenser allowing retrieval of the sweet. It's a fun little project that would be an interesting task to introduce younger ones to the world of Arduino, for example:
For complete instructions visit the project page here. And for more, we're on twitter and Google+, so follow us for news and product updates as well.
If this type of project interests you and you're new to the Arduino world, check out our new Experimenter's Kit for Arduino:
The package includes a wide variety of parts, sensors and modules including: a servo motor, lights, buttons, switches, sound, sensors, breadboard, wires and more. Furthermore a Freetronics Eleven Arduino-compatible board is included to make this an extensive hobby experimenter, inventor and starter kit. However we don't leave you alone to figure it all out, included is a great project and instruction booklet, plus access to a supporting web page and software examples. In other words - this is everything you need to get started for a fun range of electronics and Arduino related projects!
So to get started or for more information and to order, check out the product page.
