Physical computing

Physical computing focuses on interactions with the physical world using a variety of sensors and actuators that are controlled by microcontrollers and computers. An important feature is that developers are not usually specialists of embedded and ubiquitous computing. This results in development tools that emphasize the simplicity of programming and developing these types of applications.

Tom Igoe' PhyComp site
 * http://www.tigoe.net/pcomp/index.shtml
 * FAQ http://www.tigoe.net/pcomp/blog/archives/notes/000169.shtml