This looks to be a useful project. You take an input device (keyboard, lightpen, rocker switch, salty water) and use that to trigger whatever is attached to the AIM (motor, speaker, servo, arc welder, hammer drill…) thus giving the artist an easy way to create output in an art install or what have you. Oh yeah, its DIY and Open Source too!
The Art Interface Device (AID) is a microprocessor platform for building electronic installation art. It can also be used as an interface between such artworks and computers. It can enable artworks to respond to people and the physical environment.