The document discusses the Arduino, an open-source electronics prototyping platform. It began in 2003 as a program to provide a low-cost way for students and professionals to create interactive devices. Arduino hardware typically uses a microcontroller board and can be programmed through an IDE software. Common Arduino boards include the Uno, Leonardo, and Mega. The Arduino is programmed using a Wiring-based language and IDE to easily interact with sensors, actuators and other devices through its input/output pins.