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 and the Arduino Development Environment. Arduino projects can be stand-alone, or they can communicate with software running on a computer.

There are plenty of other microcontrollers available. So you may be asking, why choose the Arduino? Arduino really simplifies the process of building projects on a microcontroller making it a great platform for amateurs. You can easily start working on one with no previous electronics experience.