Looking Into Embedded Devices

The Spark: Discovering How Things Move

Ever since 7th grade, I've been fascinated by a fundamental question: How does a component actually work when we command it to move forward? What happens internally to make that magic happen? This curiosity would shape my entire approach to understanding technology.

Growing up in India during the 2000s, most kids my age will remember the iconic Mechanix construction kits—those wonderful sets that came with instructions to build 12 different projects. But I had something extra: an electronics kit complete with a motor and battery pack that used AAA batteries.

Instead of following the prescribed instructions, I decided to experiment. I created my own project: a crane that worked... well, half the time. It wasn't perfect, but it was mine. That partially-functional crane taught me more about mechanics and problem-solving than any textbook could.

The Competition Bug: Discovering IRC

During 7th grade, I discovered the India Robotics Challenge (IRC)—India's premier national robotics competition. I learned about it through the government's ATL (Atal Tinkering Lab) program, which was designed to foster innovation in schools across the country.

This discovery changed everything.

Training for Excellence

Along with two close friends, I dove headfirst into serious robotics training. We found a specialized training center that had the actual competition setup—a practice mat with the exact map we'd need to navigate during the real competition.

Day after day, we practiced:

• Programming our robot's movements
• Calibrating sensors
• Optimizing our strategies
• Learning to work as a cohesive team

The dedication paid off in ways we never expected.

The Victory That Changed Everything

By some combination of hard work and luck, our team achieved the unthinkable: we won the district robotics championship. This victory catapulted us to the national level, where we competed against the best young roboticists from across India.

At nationals, we finished 2nd in the entire country—a result that still amazes me today. Our performance even earned us a coveted opportunity to represent India at the international competition in China.

Unfortunately, our school decided not to sponsor the trip, and that dream slipped away.

The Pivot to Software

After that bittersweet victory, I found myself gradually losing interest in hardware projects. The disappointment of missing the international opportunity, combined with the natural evolution of my interests, led me toward software development.

My relationship with hardware became on-and-off—sporadic bursts of interest followed by long periods focused on coding and software projects.

College: Rekindling the Hardware Passion

Everything changed when I entered college. The combination of:

• More advanced coursework
• Access to better equipment
• Exposure to new technologies
• Meeting like-minded peers

The Embedded Universe Calls

My interest truly restarted when one of my friends, who was deep into embedded devices, told me about this incredible forum where people discussed the latest embedded engineering trends. At the same time, my Twitter feed somehow started getting flooded with embedded projects—it was like the embedded gods themselves were calling out to me!

The synchronicity was too perfect to ignore. After years of focusing on software, the hardware world was pulling me back in through multiple channels.

Taking the Plunge: My First Arduino Order

Inspired by this renewed interest, I decided to dive back into hardware. I headed to Robu.in and placed my first electronics order in years. Here's what I ordered:

My Arduino Starter Kit:

• Arduino UNO R3 Development Board - The heart of my upcoming projects
• Transparent Acrylic Case - To protect my Arduino in style
• 400-pin Breadboard + 170-pin Mini Breadboard - For all my prototyping needs
• Jumper Wires - The neural pathways of my circuits
• LEDs Galore: 5mm Blue , 5mm Red , 3mm White - Because what's electronics without blinking lights?
• Tactile Push Buttons - For user interactions
• 220 Ohm Resistors - The unsung heroes of LED circuits
• 7-Segment Display - For displaying numbers and data
• 8x8 LED Dot Matrix - For creating pixel art and animations
• SMD Ceramic Capacitors - The tiny powerhouses
• USB Cable - The lifeline between my computer and Arduino

Total Investment: ~₹(An amount I found justified to spend it) in rekindling my hardware passion

The order was shipped via Bluedart and dispatched on June 6th, 2025. As I write this, my components are on their way to me, and I can barely contain my excitement.

Tomorrow, they arrive.

Will I be able to recreate that same magic I felt with my half-working crane from 7th grade? Will this be the start of something bigger? I honestly don't know, but I'm ready to find out.

Stay tuned—I'll let you guys know how it goes!