Arduino and ESP32

A hands-on introduction to microcontrollers, with Arduino and the ESP32.

A neon circuit-city skyline with an Arduino-style board and an ESP32-style module joined by glowing traces

Tiny computers that touch the real world

Inside many everyday things, from washing machines to remote controls, a small chip is quietly reading buttons and sensors and switching lights and motors. That chip is a microcontroller, and you can program one yourself with a few dollars of hardware and a laptop.

This site is a beginner's guide to two popular choices: Arduino and the ESP32.

Explore

What is a microcontroller? The basics, in plain words.
Arduino: the friendly board and software that made electronics easy to start with.
ESP32: a low-cost chip with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Arduino vs ESP32: how they differ and how to choose.
Getting started: your first blinking light.
Slides: the whole story in a few minutes.