ARDUINO

Arduino is an open-source electronics
prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and
software. It’s intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone
interested in creating interactive objects or environments.

Arduino can sense the environment by receiving
input from a variety of sensors and can affect its surroundings by
controlling lights, motors, and other actuators. The microcontroller on
the board is programmed using the Arduino programming language (based on Wiring) and the Arduino development environment (based on Processing). Arduino projects can be stand-alone or they can communicate with software on running on a computer (e.g. Flash, Processing, MaxMSP).

The boards can be built by hand or purchased preassembled; the software can be downloaded for free. The hardware reference designs (CAD files) are available under an open-source license, you are free to adapt them to your needs.

Arduino received an Honorary Mention in the Digital Communities section of the 2006 Ars Electronica Prix. The Arduino team is: Massimo Banzi, David Cuartielles, Tom Igoe, Gianluca Martino, and David Mellis. Credits

http://arduino.cc/blog/?p=493

2010.01.29 Arduino 0018 available from the download page. 

getting started