Arduino and Autodesk are starting an exciting collaboration. For $89 you get an Arduino starter kit. The software comes from Autodesk. 

Arduino has announced a new collaboration with Autodesk and launched a new “Basic” kit to introduce their open source hardware to thousands of newcomers.

Autodesk is putting their 123D Circuits platform into the partnership and guides users through 15 step-by-step tutorials on how to utilize Arduino for a set of example purposes. 123D Circuits can used for 3D printing circuits boards.

Arduino is the hardware of choice for many low-cost 3D printers out there. Getting children to learn how to combine the two can lead to exciting developments in that area in the upcoming years. With Autodesk’s online suites and learning platforms, it is now easier than ever to start fiddling with the board.

The basic kit costs 89$.

It consists of more than 150 components including one Arduino Uno board, a wooden base, jumper wires, photo-resistor, a servo-motor, a collection of resistors, a collection of LEDs, a potentiometer, ten pushbuttons, a temperature and a tilt sensor, five capacitors, a DC motor and five diodes.

Although it’s called the “basic”, it includes enough elements to create a master control for all devices, a tap knock lock for door “passwords”, a musical instrument that works by weaving your hands, and finally get to know how servo motors work.

These are the projects you can make:

Projects you can make:

1. GET TO KNOW YOUR TOOLS an introduction to the basics
2. SPACESHIP INTERFACE design the control panel for your starship
3. LOVE-O-METER measure how hot-blooded you are
4. COLOR MIXING LAMP produce any color with a lamp that uses light as an input
5. MOOD CUE clue people in to how you’re doing
6. LIGHT THEREMIN create a musical instrument you play by waving your hands
7. KEYBOARD INSTRUMENT play music and make some noise with this keyboard
8. DIGITAL HOURGLASS a light-up hourglass that can stop you from working too much
9. MOTORIZED PINWHEEL a colored wheel that will make your head spin
10. ZOETROPE create a mechanical animation you can play forward or reverse
11. CRYSTAL BALL a mystical tour to answer all your tough questions
12. KNOCK LOCK tap out the secret code to open the door
13. TOUCHY-FEEL LAMP a lamp that responds to your touch
14. TWEAK THE ARDUINO LOGO control your personal computer from your Arduino
15. HACKING BUTTONS create a master control for all your devices.

These projects could easily be the first exciting steps of the future 3D printer creators. The 15 lessons are available to the buyer in both printed form, and online through the Project Ignite platform. There are even special instructions written to cover the teachers’ perspective.

Being both open source technologies, Arduino and 3D printing are closely related. It is great to see that Autodesk’s easy to use 123D designing tools are already playing an active role in the promotion of those values. The price of the kit (including the lessons) is alluring to say the least, and so the element of affordability is the key factor here.