TLDR; Doing IOT projects and utilizing cloud features could sound daunting at first - but it only takes getting your foot into the door to get started and realise the potential it holds. Arduino cloud and its existing integrated system makes starting these project more easier than ever. In fact, setting a UNO R4 WiFi (availble in Mercer lab) online with Arduino Cloud takes only a few steps. Below you’ll find a concise, step-by-step path, plus two small example projects (blink from the Cloud and streaming AHT20 temperature data), so you can go from unboxing to a live dashboard and smartphone control in one sitting.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

Arduino Cloud is Arduino’s hosted IoT platform that lets you code, compile, deploy, log data, and build dashboards directly in a web browser. No local IDE or drivers required. [1]

It supports all recent Wi-Fi–capable boards, and the UNO R4 WiFi ships with three free months of the Cloud Maker plan**.** A personal plan also comes with 30 days free and only costs about $7 per month, so perfect for a semester long project (like IED…) [2]

2. Prerequisites

Item Why you need it Where to get it
Arduino Account Single sign-on for Cloud, forums, and IDE https://cloud.arduino.cc/
Arduino Create Agent Background service that lets the browser talk to USB boards Prompted on first Cloud visit; see install wizard https://cloud.arduino.cc/download-agent/

3. Setup ** need to add new device as example

3a. Add the UNO R4 WiFi as a Device

  1. Plug the board via USB-C and visit Devices ▸ Add device ▸Arduino in Arduino boards in Cloud. The agent will identify “UNO R4 WiFi”

image.png

  1. When prompted, accept the automatic connectivity-module firmware update; this ensures Wi-Fi security fixes and OTA compatibility.
  2. Give the device a nickname; the Cloud now shows it “online”

3b. Create a Thing & Cloud Variables

A Thing bundles a device, its variables, and a sketch. Click Create Thing, pick your UNO R4 WiFi, then add variables such as:

Name Type Update mode
ledSwitch Boolean On change (FROM Cloud)
tempC Float Periodic every 5 s (TO Cloud)