DIY ArduBoy is comprised of an Arduino micro, OLED display, and six buttons. A piezo speaker is optional. It’s super easy to build this on a breadboard or to solder it together. You can easily put one together within 30 minutes and then load up your favorite game. What’s great about this is that people can continue to learn and code on the device after they have taken it home, and perhaps add more features, like a rechargeable battery. Construct a quick and dirty open-source video game system! Learn how each component works as you solder it to a custom designed circuit board. Add buttons, buzzer, and an OLED display to an Arduino to create a DIY Arduboy! Beginner friendly: time and support will be offered for first timers. It is great for confidence-building. Please note that this is not primarily designed as a “learn to solder” workshop.

The story of Arduboy, an open-source, credit-card-sized gaming system based on Arduino, designed to create a community-driven platform for learning and creativity. Kevin will share his journey from developing a digital business card to creating a viral product with tens of thousands of units sold and a thriving community contributing hundreds of games. He will highlight the challenges and successes in developing and scaling Arduboy, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, maintaining vision, and adapting to change. The talk concludes with insights into the open-source economy and the value of intrinsic motivation in fostering innovation and learning.