Ultrasonic sensors are distance sensors that use sound waves to detect how far away an object is. They send out high frequency bursts of sound and listen for its echo. They then determine how far away the object is based on how long it takes for the sound to return to the sensor. This variety requires an Arduino library to operate.

NewPing Library

#include <NewPing.h>

NewPing mysensor(5, 6, 200);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  int pingTime = mysensor.ping();

  int distance = mysensor.ping_in();

  int distance_cm = mysensor.ping_cm();

  Serial.println(distance);
}

Exercise Title: Animated Giraffe
Purpose: Learn how to program movements into physical objects using Arduino.

Prerequisite Exercise: 3D Giraffe
Suggested tutorials/lectures to complete prior to exercise: 

• Intro to Programming
• Intro to Electronics & Arduino
• Blink an LED
• Fade an LED
• Exploring Sensors

Exercise Description:

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 In doing so you will:

• Learn computer programming fundamentals
• Connect a variety of sensors and actuators to the Arduino
• Explore digital and analog inputs
• Use Arduino to program behavior into projects

Download the Arduino software here: ARDUINO DOWNLOAD

Learn about Arduino here: ARDUINO LEARNING RESOURCES