TED Talk: There is a technological revolution stirring up among thousands young people regarding open-source hardware and the maker's movement. The revolution is aiding innovation due to how accessible technology and hardware has become for the general public. Children are adapted to this new environment and are starting to apply their knowledge from simple Arduino circuits to the real world. Arduino circuits are available to anyone that has access to the internet, which greatly increases the ability of people to learn from and about Arduino and technology in general. People have started to use Arduinos in combination with other components easily accessible to the public to create devices that serve purposes that are already accomplished by higher priced devices.
Arduino Projects: Arduinos are starting to be used more readily in the production of computers serving a wide variety of purposes.
Like mentioned in the TED talk, Arduinos were/are used to build makeshift radiation measurers in and around the Fukushima Nuclear Reactor. After the meltdown accord, an immense amount of hostile toxic material was launched into the atmosphere. It was/is hazardous to humans causing many people to buy Geiger Counters which measure radiation. The cost of the counters steadily increased causing people to turn to alternative devices which is where Arduinos came into play. Link - http://www.makery.info/en/2014/11/04/ils-ont-concu-safecast-le-compteur-geiger-diy-pour-fukushima/
Arduino powered, wooden vending machine (very cool) Link - http://www.retrobuiltgames.com/the-build-page/arduino-vending-machine/
Arduino Controlled CNC / 3D Printer Link - http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Controlled-CNC-3D-Printer/