Say you’ve got an electronics project going full blast and need to test it—what to do? Israeli tinkerer Ytai Ben-Tsvi worked his DIY magic to create the IOIO (pronounced yoyo). It’s a nimble slice of hardware that connects to an Android phone via USB.
According to the Make blog where Ytai’s IOIO was featured:
I’m very excited to announce the launch of a new product I’ve been working on for the past months! IOIO (pronounced: yo-yo) is a product which lets you connect electronic circuits to an Android device and control them from an Android application. It is comprised of a small (2.7×1.2″ = 7x3cm) PCB that connects to an Android device with a USB cable and a software library (Java .jar file) that you use in your Android app which handles all communications with the board.
No firmware programming is required – only Android application authoring with a very simple API for controlling the pins on the board. No modification of the Android device is required – you avoid the complication of modification and the voiding of warranty.
Features and Capabilities of IOIO
The IOIO board is designed to be user-friendly and versatile, making it an excellent tool for both beginners and experienced developers. One of its standout features is the ease of use; you don’t need to have extensive knowledge of firmware programming to get started. The board comes with a simple API that allows you to control its pins directly from your Android application. This makes it incredibly accessible for those who are more comfortable with software development than hardware tinkering.
The board itself is compact, measuring just 2.7×1.2 inches (7×3 cm), making it easy to integrate into various projects without taking up much space. It connects to your Android device via a USB cable, ensuring a stable and reliable connection. The accompanying software library, a Java .jar file, handles all the communication between your Android device and the IOIO board, simplifying the development process.
Applications and Use Cases
The IOIO board opens up a world of possibilities for electronics enthusiasts and developers. Here are a few examples of what you can do with it:
1. Home Automation: Use the IOIO board to control lights, fans, and other appliances in your home. You can create an Android app that allows you to turn devices on and off remotely, set timers, or even automate routines based on specific conditions.
2. Robotics: The IOIO board can be used to control motors, sensors, and other components in a robot. Whether you’re building a simple wheeled robot or a more complex robotic arm, the IOIO board can handle the necessary inputs and outputs.
3. Data Logging: If you need to collect data from various sensors, the IOIO board can help. Connect temperature sensors, humidity sensors, or any other type of sensor to the board and use your Android device to log and analyze the data.
4. Educational Projects: The IOIO board is an excellent tool for teaching electronics and programming. Its simplicity and ease of use make it ideal for classroom settings, where students can quickly get hands-on experience with both hardware and software.
Take a look at our article on Android vs iPhone to see which smartphone and mobile platform is best for you.
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