DIGITAL INPUT - the simplest form of transducer. There are only two states: on/off, true/false, up/down. There are 14 digital pins on the Arduino Diecimila board. Each can be used as an input or output. They operate at 5 volts and can provide or receive a maximum of 40 mA. A switch is the most common kind of digital input:
DIY Foot Switch
Commercial Foot and Pressure Switches
Mercury Switch and Magnetic Burglar
Alarm Switch
Micro Switch and Whisker Switch
Arduino Circuit