May 1, 2024
Updated June 2, 2025
21 minute read
An Introduction to Physical Computing: Bridging the Digital and Physical Worlds
Physical computing refers to the design and construction of interactive systems that sense and respond to the physical world. It involves creating hardware and software that can detect inputs from the environment – such as light, sound, temperature, or motion – and then process this information to produce outputs that affect the physical world, like moving a motor, turning on a light, or making a sound. This exciting field blends creativity with technical skill, allowing for the development of everything from simple interactive gadgets to complex robotic systems.
Working in physical computing can be incredibly engaging. Imagine building a smart home device that adjusts the lighting and temperature based on your presence, or designing an interactive art installation that reacts to the movements of viewers. The ability to see your code manifest in tangible, real-world actions is a deeply satisfying aspect of this discipline. Furthermore, physical computing is inherently interdisciplinary, offering opportunities to collaborate with artists, designers, engineers, and scientists, pushing the boundaries of what's possible at the intersection of technology and the physical realm.
Introduction to Physical Computing
This section will delve into the fundamentals of physical computing, exploring its core principles, historical development, and its relationship with other rapidly evolving technological fields. We aim to provide a clear understanding of what physical computing entails and why it has become increasingly important in our technologically advanced society.
956m1q|
Find a path to becoming a Physical Computing. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/topic/956m1q/physical
Reading list
We've selected 25 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Physical Computing.
Is considered a foundational text in physical computing, providing a broad overview of the concepts, techniques, and technologies involved. It is suitable for gaining a general understanding of the field and is often used as a textbook in academic settings. While some of the technology discussed may be older, the core principles remain highly relevant.
A highly recommended book for gaining a solid foundation in the electronics essential for physical computing. It uses a hands-on, experiment-based approach to teach fundamental electronic concepts. is invaluable for anyone who needs to build or understand circuits for their physical computing projects.
Authored by one of the pioneers in the field, this book delves into connecting physical devices to networks and the internet. It's excellent for those looking to deepen their understanding of communication protocols and building connected physical computing projects. It provides practical examples using Arduino and other platforms.
Great introduction to physical computing for beginners, providing hands-on projects and tutorials. It great resource for learning the basics of electronics and programming and connecting devices to the internet.
Is an excellent starting point for beginners interested in using the Arduino platform for physical computing projects. It covers the basics of the Arduino IDE and simple circuits, making it a must-read for those new to microcontrollers.
Specifically addresses building robots and physical computing environments, offering practical guidance and projects. It's a good resource for those interested in the robotics aspect of physical computing.
Ideal for those wanting to explore physical computing with the Raspberry Pi. introduces the basics of the Raspberry Pi, its operating system, and simple programming with Python and Scratch for hardware interaction. It's a good resource for beginners and those interested in Linux-based physical computing.
Given the overlap between physical computing and the Internet of Things (IoT), this book provides valuable insights into designing connected physical systems. It covers concepts relevant to building IoT devices that sense and interact with the environment.
Is geared towards designers and artists looking to incorporate physical computing into their interactive projects. It covers programming concepts using Processing, Arduino, and openFrameworks, providing a creative perspective on the topic.
For a deeper dive into the microcontrollers often used in physical computing, this book provides a solid understanding of embedded systems using the prevalent Arm Cortex-M architecture. It's suitable for those with a stronger technical background wanting to understand the underlying hardware.
Focusing specifically on the hardware design aspects of embedded systems, this book is useful for those who want to move beyond basic microcontroller boards and design their own custom hardware for physical computing applications.
A broad and practical guide to electronics, suitable for inventors and hobbyists. It covers a wide range of electronic components and circuits, providing the necessary knowledge for building a variety of physical computing projects.
Provides a comprehensive overview of physical computing, covering the basics of electronics, programming, and interfacing with the physical world. It great resource for students who want to learn more about the fundamentals of physical computing in a theoretical way.
This handbook explores the use of code as a creative tool in art and design, with significant overlap in concepts and techniques used in physical computing for creative applications. It's valuable for understanding the artistic potential of physical computing.
Provides a more theoretical and comprehensive understanding of embedded systems and cyber-physical systems, which form the backbone of many physical computing projects. It is more suitable for advanced undergraduate or graduate-level study.
While not solely focused on physical computing, this classic text provides a deep and comprehensive understanding of electronics. It's an invaluable reference for anyone serious about designing and building complex physical computing systems.
An updated version of 'The Nature of Code' using JavaScript and p5.js. This good option for those more familiar with JavaScript and interested in simulating natural phenomena with code, often as part of physical computing installations.
While focused on creative coding with p5.js, this book is relevant as p5.js is often used in conjunction with hardware like Arduino for creating interactive installations and physical computing projects with a visual output.
Focuses on the fundamental skill of using a breadboard to build circuits, which is essential for prototyping in physical computing. It's a very hands-on introduction to the basics of electronics for beginners.
A classic in design, this book helps understand user-centered design principles, which are crucial when creating physical computing projects that people will interact with. While not technical, it provides essential context for designing effective and intuitive physical interfaces.
Great introduction to Raspberry Pi, a popular single-board computer. It provides step-by-step instructions for getting started with Raspberry Pi and programming it to interact with the physical world.
Provides a practical introduction to physical computing using the BeagleBone. It covers the basics of electronics, programming, and interfacing with the physical world, and provides examples of creative projects that use physical computing.
Great introduction to BeagleBone Black, a popular low-cost single-board computer. It provides step-by-step instructions for getting started with BeagleBone Black and programming it to interact with the physical world.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/956m1q/physical
Save
