Introduction to IoT Internet of Things Workshop Hands- on Learning with Arduino Presented by: Workshop Instructor August 23, 2025 Building Smart Solutions • Practical Applications • Interactive Coding Made with Genspark
What is IoT? The Internet of Things (IoT) is: A network of physical objects ("things") embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity Devices that can collect, share, and act on data Connecting everyday objects to the internet and each other In simple words: "Normal objects become smart when they can talk to each other via the internet." IoT Workshop Made with Connecting the physical world to the digital realm
Why Does IoT Matter? IoT transforms our world by: Bridging worlds - Connects digital realm (apps, servers, cloud) with physical world (machines, sensors, devices) Enabling automation - Reduces human effort through intelligent systems that respond to real- time data Data- driven decisions - Provides actionable insights across all environments from homes to industries "IoT creates a world where every object tells a story through data, enabling smarter actions and better decisions." IoT Workshop
Real- Life Applications of IoT IoT transforms everyday objects into smart, connected devices: Smart Homes – Lights controlled by phone/voice, thermostats that learn your preferences, doorbell cameras with remote monitoring Wearables – Smartwatches tracking health metrics, fitness trackers sending data to apps, medical devices for remote patient monitoring Smart Agriculture – Soil moisture sensors triggering automated irrigation, livestock tracking, drone- based field monitoring Robotics & Automation – Arduino- based robots sending live location data, industrial automation with real- time monitoring "The most profound technologies are those that disappear. They weave themselves into the fabric of everyday life until they are indistinguishable from it." — Mark Weiser Smart Home Smart lighting systems Intelligent thermostats Security cameras & sensors Wearables Fitness trackers & smartwatches Activity monitoring Health metrics tracking Smart Agriculture Soil moisture sensors Weather monitoring stations Automated irrigation systems Robotics Arduino- based projects Location tracking robots Industrial automation IoT Workshop Made with Genspark Over 30 billion IoT devices estimated to be connected by 2025
Engagement Activity: Imagine a 'Smarter' Object Activity Time: 2- 3 minutes Made with Genspark "The best way to predict the future is to invent it." Challenge Question Can you name one everyday object around you that could become "smart" if connected to the internet? Think about: How would it connect? What data would it collect? How would that improve its function? Discussion Format: Form groups of 2- 3 students Brainstorm for 2- 3 minutes Share your best ideas with the class Inspiration Examples: Smart Water Bottle Tracks water intake and reminds you to stay hydrated based on your activity levels. Smart Bike Lock Unlocks with app, alerts if moved, and tracks location if stolen. Smart Ceiling Fan Adjusts speed based on room temperature and occupancy. Your Idea Here! Think beyond convenience! Consider sustainability, accessibility, or solving real problems.
02 Microcontroller Fundamentals Understanding the brain that powers IoT devices and embedded systems Mini Computers Task- Specific Low Power Real- World I/O Let's dive into the world of microcontrollers
What is a Microcontroller? A microcontroller is: A mini computer on a single chip Unlike a PC, dedicated to specific tasks Low power consumption, cost- effective solution Key Components: CPU: The "brain" that processes instructions Memory: Stores program code and data I/O Ports: Connect to sensors, motors, LEDs Peripherals: Timers, ADC, communication interfaces Microcontrollers: The Heart of IoT Devices Made with Microcontrollers are the silent workers powering the smart world we live in. CPU I/O Ports Found in: Microwaves, Washing Machines, TV Remotes, Smart Devices
Microcontroller vs Microprocessor Microcontroller (MCU) Microprocessor (MPU) All- in- one (CPU + RAM + I/O on same chip) CPU only (needs external RAM, I/O chips) Used in embedded systems (Arduino, robots, appliances) Used in computers, laptops, mobiles Low power, task- specific High power, general- purpose Limited processing power, but efficient High processing capability for multiple tasks Key Differences: Arduino, ATmega, ESP32 All-in- one solution RAM I/O Intel, AMD, ARM Requires external components Usage Context: MCUs: Specific tasks, direct hardware control MPUs: Complex computing, multiple applications IoT Workshop Made with Genspark Understanding the brains behind embedded systems Microcontroller (MCU) CPU RAM I/O Flash Timer Microprocessor (MPU) CPU
Microcontrollers in Daily Life Examples in Everyday Objects: Home Appliances: Microwave ovens, washing machines, refrigerators Consumer Electronics: TV remotes, digital clocks, thermostats Automotive: Engine control, dashboard displays, smart keys Personal Devices: Calculators, toys, fitness trackers "Microcontrollers are the silent workers powering the smart world we live in." Famous MCU Types: ATmega328P Powers Arduino Uno boards 8- bit AVR architecture ESP8266/ESP32 WiFi- enabled IoT projects Low- cost connectivity ARM Cortex- M Industry standard High performance, low power PIC MCUs Industrial applications Wide range of applications IoT Workshop Made with Genspark Look around you - how many microcontrollers can you spot?
Engagement: Spot the Microcontroller! Activity Time: 3- 5 minutes Made with Genspark "Microcontrollers are the silent workers powering the smart world we live in." Challenge Question Which objects around you have microcontrollers inside? Look around the classroom. Many everyday items contain these "mini computers" that work silently behind the scenes! Activity Instructions: In pairs, identify 3 objects that likely contain microcontrollers For each object, discuss what the microcontroller might control Share with the class - most creative answer wins! Common Examples: Remote Control Contains MCU to encode button presses into infrared signals with specific timing patterns. Digital Clock Uses microcontroller to keep time, manage display, and control alarm functions. Calculator MCU processes calculations and manages the display of numbers and symbols. Washing Machine Controls water levels, cycle timing, motor speed, and temperature regulation. Fun fact: The average household contains 50- 100 microcontrollers across all devices!
03 Arduino Deep Dive Exploring the heart of student IoT projects and rapid prototyping Easy Coding Modular Design IoT Prototyping Learning Tool From concept to working prototype with Arduino
Arduino Uno: Features and Specs Technical Specifications Microcontroller: ATmega328P (8- bit AVR) Operating Voltage: 5V Clock Speed: 16 MHz Memory: Flash 32 KB (0.5 KB used by bootloader) SRAM: 2 KB / EEPROM: 1 KB Digital I/O Pins: 14 (6 support PWM output) Analog Input Pins: 6 (10- bit resolution) Programming: USB, Arduino IDE, C/C++ based Why Choose Arduino? Ease of Use Built- in USB interface, onboard power regulation, preloaded bootloader Open Source Hardware schematics and IDE are freely available to the community Cross- Platform Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS operating systems Rich Ecosystem Shields, libraries, and thousands of sensors/modules supported Rapid Prototyping Quicker than designing bare microcontroller circuits
Arduino Board Pins & Configuration Pin Classification & Functions: Power Pins 3.3V, 5V: Output regulated voltage GND: Ground reference VIN: Input voltage (7- 12V) Digital Pins (D0- D13) Input/Output functionality HIGH (5V) / LOW (0V) logic Pins with ~ symbol support PWM Analog Pins (A0- A5) 10- bit ADC resolution (0- 1023 values) Also serve as digital I/O A4/A5: I²C (SDA/SCL) pins Communication Pins UART (Serial): D0 (RX), D1 (TX) SPI: D10 (SS), D11 (MOSI), D12 (MISO), D13 (SCK) I²C: A4 (SDA), A5 (SCL) Arduino Workshop Made with Genspark Understanding pins is fundamental to IoT project success
Hands- On: Exploring Arduino Pins Activity Time: 25 minutes (5- 7 minutes per mini- activity) Workshop Activities Let's explore different types of Arduino pins through hands- on mini- projects Each activity demonstrates a unique pin functionality through a simple circuit Workshop Structure: Build each circuit with guidance Upload provided code samples Modify parameters to see different results Complete the mini- challenge for each activity Made with "The best way to learn is by doing." Four Arduino Pin Activities: Digital Pins (D13) Make an LED blink using digitalWrite (HIGH/LOW) Challenge: Create a heartbeat pattern! PWM Pins (~9) Create LED fading effect with analogWrite (0- 255) Challenge: Make a breathing LED! Analog Input (A0) Read potentiometer values with analogRead () Challenge: Control LED brightness with the pot! Serial Monitor (TX/RX) Print "Hello Arduino" using Serial.println () Challenge: Create an interactive message system! Code Example: analogWrite (9, 128); // 50% brightness on pin 9
Programming Your Arduino: IDE and Code Structure Arduino IDE Overview: Official software to write, compile & upload code Based on C/C++ with simplified wrappers Provides serial communication tools Essential Functions: pinMode() Set pin as INPUT/OUTPUT digitalWrite() Set pin HIGH/LOW digitalRead() Read digital value analogRead() Read analog (0- 1023) analogWrite() PWM output (0- 255) Serial Monitor communication Arduino Code Structure: // Every Arduino sketch has two main functions void setup () { // Runs once at startup pinMode (13, OUTPUT); // Set pin 13 as output Serial.begin ( 9600 ); // Initialize serial communication } void loop () { // Runs continuously digitalWrite (13, HIGH); // Turn LED ON delay ( 1000 ); // Wait 1 second digitalWrite (13, LOW); // Turn LED OFF delay ( 1000 ); // Wait 1 second Serial.println ( "LED Blinked" ); } Verify Upload Serial Monitor Remember: Arduino code is case- sensitive!
Wrap- Up & Next Steps Key Learnings IoT connects physical objects to digital world through sensors and networks Microcontrollers are the brains of IoT devices, specialized for specific tasks Arduino provides an accessible platform for building IoT prototypes Digital/analog I/O and communication protocols form the foundation of IoT interactions Practical sensors like ultrasonic enable real- world applications "The Internet of Things has the potential to change the world, just as the Internet did. Maybe even more so." — Kevin Ashton (Father of IoT) Next Steps & Resources Continue your IoT journey with these resources: Arduino Projects arduino.cc/projects IoT Tutorial Hub instructables.com/circuits/arduino Advanced Topics to Explore: ESP32 WiFi Cloud Integration MQTT Protocol Home Automation IoT Security Final Challenge: Create your own IoT project combining sensors, Arduino, and possibly cloud connectivity to solve a real- world problem! Questions? Contact: workshop@ example.com Made with Genspark Workshop material available online at: iot- workshop.example.com/resources