Olympia Circuits' Arno Shield Lets Arduino Newcomers Bring Their Own B

[Spartan]

[img]http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/04/arno-shield-1367250550.jpg[/img]


While there have certainly been attempts at easing the Arduino learning curve, many of these still demand a [url="http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/10/arduino-esplora-learn-microcontrollers-without-the-breadboard/"]new board[/url] or simplify just [url="http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/07/twine-cloud-shield-puts-arduino-gadgets-online-in-seconds/"]one aspect[/url] of a much larger universe. Olympia Circuits' new Arno Shield could help strike a better balance between starting fresh and diving into the deep end. It includes all the buttons, lights and sensors needed for 40-plus educational projects, but grafts on to existing boards such as the company's LeOlympia or an [url="http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/10/ben-heck-fashions-a-pocket-computer-with-an-xbox-chatpad-and-ard/"]Arduino Uno[/url]. Owners don't have to add parts or wires; they just remove the shield once they've learned enough to create their own masterworks. The shield kit won't be cheap when it arrives on May 2nd for $60, but it may prove the real bargain for tinkerers who want a full-fledged Arduino board as soon as the training wheels come off.