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Course Description

In this course you will go beyond output devices that simply display information to output devices that involve physical movement. Actuators are the components of interactive devices that act on the world. You will learn about servo motors and other actuators that can be incorporated into your interactive devices.

Some actuators, such as motors, can draw heavy currents at times. In order to use these actuators you will need to work out the power requirements for your device. In this course you will learn some of the basics of battery selection and power management.

There are a number of practical activities involving the Arduino and various external components, and during these practical sessions you will deepen your prototyping and debugging skills. These activities lead up to the final project, in which you will design and build a physical interactive device of your own choosing.

Due to the applied nature of this program, you will be sent a kit of electrical components and microcontrollers before the start of your course.

You are required to have completed the following courses or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

  • Designing a Simple Interactive System
  • Expanding Interactive Systems With Devices and Libraries
  • Designing Complex Sensing and Functions in Interactive Systems

Faculty Author

Wendy Ju

Benefits to the Learner

  • Use a servo motor to perform tasks in the physical world
  • Design and integrate the interactive, electronic, and mechanical aspects of a system to unify device function
  • Determine power requirements and choose batteries to match an application
  • Build, prototype, and test a system design for deployment in the real world

Target Audience

  • Engineers
  • Research and design professionals
  • Product designers and developers
  • Software engineers
  • Electronics hobbyists
  • Designers/artists with the appropriate background
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Career starters

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in
Type
2 week
Dates
Jan 15, 2025 to Jan 28, 2025
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Contract Fee $0.00
Section Notes

IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION

Type
2 week
Dates
Sep 10, 2025 to Sep 23, 2025
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Contract Fee $0.00
Section Notes

IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION

  • Due to the applied nature of this program, you will be sent a kit of electrical components and microcontrollers before the start of your course.
  • Please note that while course and certificate fees are refundable, the kit fee is not refundable once shipped.
  • Once you have received your kit, please use this LIST to inventory your kit and ensure you have received all kit components.
Type
2 week
Dates
Dec 03, 2025 to Dec 16, 2025
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Contract Fee $0.00
Section Notes

IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION

  • Due to the applied nature of this program, you will be sent a kit of electrical components and microcontrollers before the start of your course.
  • Please note that while course and certificate fees are refundable, the kit fee is not refundable once shipped.
  • Once you have received your kit, please use this LIST to inventory your kit and ensure you have received all kit components.
Type
2 week
Dates
Feb 25, 2026 to Mar 10, 2026
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Contract Fee $0.00
Section Notes

IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION

  • Due to the applied nature of this program, you will be sent a kit of electrical components and microcontrollers before the start of your course.
  • Please note that while course and certificate fees are refundable, the kit fee is not refundable once shipped.
  • Once you have received your kit, please use this LIST to inventory your kit and ensure you have received all kit components.
Type
2 week
Dates
May 20, 2026 to Jun 02, 2026
Total Number of Hours
10.0
Course Fee(s)
Contract Fee $0.00
Section Notes

IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION

  • Due to the applied nature of this program, you will be sent a kit of electrical components and microcontrollers before the start of your course.
  • Please note that while course and certificate fees are refundable, the kit fee is not refundable once shipped.
  • Once you have received your kit, please use this LIST to inventory your kit and ensure you have received all kit components.
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