Ever wondered how all those engineering students end up making some awesome diy projects?? Like a robotic arm and small line following robots??
…..hmm?………………..ok
Dont rack your brain too much. Think of it this way…wont they need a platform (device) to integrate all the sensors that they use? And the platform (device) should also be able to control certain other modules? Like a motor for example. This platform or device is nothing but a “development board”.

A development board either consists of a micro-controller or a micro-processor. To put it as easily as possible, a development board is a device that takes the users input and provides a corresponding output for it. Thus it becomes easy for makers to control a motor or an actuation using an electrical signal given by a micro-controller which is controlled by the user by ‘burning’ a code onto it.

Thus a development board provides an interface between sensors and actuations which the user can exploit.

The “arduino” is one such widely used development board. There are many home projects made using it, and thus has a huge user base. But if you need a board to handle more processing, you can use a board equipped with a micro-processor…..like the raspberry-pi for example.(I have no intention of touching the sensitive topic of Pi vs BBB….if you don’think know what i am talking about, then its all good).

Even though any system or electronic device you see nowadays doesnt make use of development boards…it is still awesome for students making projects at home. Companies make use of embedded systems..which are more focused toward their product’s application and is optimised for it.

So to conclude, I would suggest googling the arduino board and read its tutorials on their site, and also remember that if you intend to make any project, a development board is one of the most basic things that you will need!!

Check out Arduino’s site here.

if you have spare time check out this video. Its really well made and very informative.