The MAKE
Controller
things DIY.

Photograph by David Williams

Announcing a just-
maybe-revolutionary
microcontroller for all
By David Williams and Liam Staskawicz
Microcontroller chips and the tools required
to use them were once so specialized that few
people could explore their potential without a
degree in electronics and software engineering.

From BASIC Stamp kits to Wiring and Arduino boards, manufacturers and open source communities now offer somewhat easier ways to program microcontrollers, enabling cross-pollination between the engineering world and hobbyists, do-it-yourselfers, artists, and students.

But the effort needed to program a chip and
design a circuit is still a barrier to countless
creative people, even as the latest 32-bit chip
designs offer new features like built-in networking.
All the elements are in place for the next revo-
lution in DIY microcontrollers: a friendly, open
platform that can do it all, launch a thousand
projects, and empower both novices and pros.