The Duemilanove ("2009") is a compact microcontroller card that is
getting great
reviews from the robotics and home experimenter crew.
It plugs in a USB port for power. Or a battery. Or a wall wart. It comes
with a free software development app featuring C like structures. multi
10 bit analog ins and outs and plenty of digital ins and outs. Suitable
tails for a 2d accelerometer chip ('senses the position of a warm air
bubble') or the current Analog Devices 3 axis accelerometer chip, a
sonic ranger, a capacitive proximity indication app etc., etc., etc.
20 Mips from 20 Mhz using an Atmel chip. Low power. It can sleep a half
dozen ways. Costs $35 built plus (domestic) shipping.
Or make it yourself from components $20..... Cards for servo drives etc
are offered.
What an incredible lab exercise it would be for high schoolers on up....
Apparently it sprang from an Italian source and hit the spot all over.