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.
Defining Physical Computing and Its Core Principles
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Find a path to becoming a Physical Computing. Learn more at:
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Reading list
We've selected 13 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/956m1q/physical
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