You don't need to be an expert to do brilliant things with IoT. Check out these awesome IoT projects for beginners to get started! The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of interconnected devices that collect and share data for automation, control, monitoring, and other activities. In summary, it turns ordinary things into “intelligent” devices connected to the internet, to us, and to other devices.

While the concept and operation of IoT may be highly technical for some, it is already present in our smartphones, home security, and even modern automobiles. For those just starting to explore IoT, it can be a bit daunting as projects can get quite complex. That’s why i’ve curated a special selection of beginner-friendly projects for you to dive into this sea of possibilities! From simple robots to functional security equipment, let’s discover what the power of IoT can do for you – without spending a fortune These first projects are perfect for getting started in the world of IoT and having some fun while learning!

1. SMARTIBOT

This is a project that is perfect for beginners in robotics! Learning about IoT, artificial intelligence, and everything that robotics entails has never been so fun and flexible thanks to this board. It can be assembled on structures made of cardboard or any other material due to its small size. But don’t be fooled, it comes with significant innovations. You can even program it to track people and animals using AI. Since the complete project plans are open-source, you can opt to build this from scratch or you can purchase a kit with everything and more included. The board design includes 10 connectors for servo motors, wireless communication, PWM driver, reversible continuous current outputs for motors, RGB LEDs, USB ports, expansion ports, and so on.

The kit costs around $58, plus you can also purchase some interesting accessories from the designer.

2. LED MATRIX

Colorful LED panels are great for decoration or even functional displays. However, without IoT, it would be tedious to adjust for every new design idea. In this project, you’ll find a 3D printable case for a NeoPixel WS2812B LED panel matrix, which features 256 colorful LEDs, and instructions for how to connect the lights to the Esp32 controller, making them programmable through one of several interface options. In the app, you can program many fun and beautiful animations that will give your space a fresh look. There are compliments regarding the quality of the 3D print files for the LED panel case, and you can also see some beautiful makes.

3. OTTO NINJA HUMANOID ROBOT

This small robot has many young fans worldwide and is a great representation of the joy that IoT can bring. While previous versions of Otto the Robot could only walk and run, this version can engage in battles and comes equipped with a ninja sword. Otto the Humanoid Ninja can be easily programmed with an intuitive and user-friendly interface, allowing even those with no experience to create a true robot. To build this small robot, you’ll need a 3D printer to print the parts or you can order a kit from the official website. After programming, you can experiment with various maneuvers and movements on your smartphone using the app. Being open source and modular, there are many possibilities to modify and improve Otto, all while you also improve your robotics skills!

4. PING PONG LED

Lights You don’t need to spend a fortune and countless days to create a truly beautiful IoT project. In this project, ping pong balls, cardboard, and LED strips are used to create a fun and unique lamp that can enhance your decor and set the mood for any occasion. With the help of the WLED program, getting the controls set up should be a breeze. You can experiment with different sizes for the lamp, but you’ll need a more powerful power source for larger lamps. Some tools like a soldering iron and hot glue are also necessary. Before getting started, it’s recommended to also watch the video tutorial where the designer provides helpful insights like how to calculate the diameter of the tube for the LED strip.

5. FLOOD DETECTION

Summer downpour, faulty plumbing, or broken household appliances can cause leakages that may go unseen but can lead to devastating damage if not caught early enough. IoT devices are perfect for keeping watch 24/7 so you don’t have to. This project is designed to regularly measure the presence of water and its own battery level and send an email alert if attention is needed. Every hour, the controller is activated to check the sensor, and with each activation, a value is incremented in non-volatile memory to be read in the next cycle. When the counter reaches a sum equivalent to 24 hours, an email and information are sent to a MQTT server. When not activated, the device enters a deep sleep mode to consume minimal energy.

6. E-PAPER WEATHER STATION

Gone are the days when simply opening a window was enough to gauge the weather and trust that nothing unexpected would occur. The weather has indeed become increasingly unpredictable, making a small monitoring station incredibly helpful to avoid being caught off guard. The IoT aspect of this project is that the device displays real-time information from OpenWeather in a format of your choosing. This device uses rechargeable batteries, making it completely wireless. With a low-energy e-paper display, the average battery life can be up to 3 months. The wiring instructions and code details are available on GitHub and there’s a 3D printable case on Printables that can house everything without hassle.

7. PARKING HELPER

Thanks to IoT devices, you don’t need to have a recent car model to get automatic parking assistance right in your own garage. This project provides an audible beep and visual indicator that lights up a red signal when the vehicle is in the proper parking position, measured by a distance sensor, thus preventing accidents or damage. At the same time, the parking spot’s status can be monitored in spreadsheets through a web interface.

Data monitoring via the browser requires the use of the Argon-compatible Particle Web IDE. Once everything is configured, it will be possible to track results through two Google spreadsheets, for example, indicating the absence or presence of a car.

8. PEOPLE COUNTER

This simple project can be used to monitor the number of people entering a room or passing by a certain location. Such information can be highly beneficial for various sectors such as stores or classrooms. The device utilizes a sensor to detect a person and sends the information to a web interface. The good news is that this project should cost less than $22 in total. You’ll need a soldering iron and a 3D printer to complete the small device that operates with a time-of-flight sensor at its core. This sensor is great because it’s fast and very accurate, and also poses no health risks. The author gives an in-depth explanation about the theory of both this device and other more expensive people counters for those who are interested. During setup, it’s key to connect the device to the same network as the browser where you wish to display the count. Also, be mindful of the sensor placement, as it does not distinguish between objects and people.

9. TERRARIUM MONITOR

Among the many things IoT can do, this next project is a matter of life or death for your terrarium. Many other in-depth terrarium building projects can be found on Instructables if you want to explore different setups. Regarding IoT, this project provides instructions for setting up temperature, humidity, and soil moisture sensors for monitoring your system. It’s crucial to note that the data should not be taken as an absolute value and should be combined with physical observation until you know the right parameters for your system. Once everything is set up, you can monitor all the data via a browser and even control LED lights.

10. SMART LOCK

Security is increasingly crucial worldwide, and precisely for this reason there are a multitude of commercial devices, but they tend to be expensive or even cumbersome and limited. If you have a hankering for DIY and IoT, this could be the perfect starter project for you as it offers high security and remote control. Users will need to pass four levels of security to unlock the lock: an RFID card, a fingerprint, a PIN password, and a one-time password (OTP) generated by a Telegram Bot. In addition to access control, the system records the entry of each person with date and time, enabling enhanced management. While it may look complicated, there’s a helpful video tutorial showing the details of each step.