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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
While not directly about the technical aspects of physical computing, this book on project management is highly relevant for anyone undertaking larger or more complex physical computing projects, especially in a professional or team setting. It helps with organizing and executing projects effectively.
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
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