New Micro:bit Version 2 - Out Now

The new Micro:bit version 2 is now on sale.

While this Version 2 board is backwardly compatible with the previous Micro:bit board there are many new features and capabilities to help us create a wider range of software and hardware projects.

Here's a list of the Version 2 changes and additions:
• 4x Faster 64MHz Arm Cortex-M4 + FPU processor
• Larger 512KB Flash storage on board
• Larger 128KB RAM
• On-board MEMS Microphone with LED indicator
• On-board Speaker
• Touch sensitive logo "button"
• Sleep/off mode with LED indicator (for Battery saving)
• Up to 200mA of current for external accessories
• Bluetooth 5.0 radio allowing micro:bits to talk to each other
• Notched edge connector (easier crocodile clips connection)

All this is mounted on the same sized board while retaining all the original capabilities. Plus the MicroPython language will be fully compatible with these new features.

And, amazingly, it's available for the same low low price!

LEGO® and micro:bit with Brown Dog Projects

I recently came across the Brown Dog Projects website and its selection of simple-to-build, easy-to-code LEGO® themed projects using low-price microprocessor boards like the popular micro:bit.

You can also buy a number of kits, including a micro:bit board kit.
This kit has a Crazy Circuits Bit Board to simplify LEGO® brick and micro:bit board connectivity, plus many other items including a USB Cable, Battery Holder, Small Pushbuttons, LEDs, Potentiometer, Piezo Speaker, LEGO® Compatible Servo and a few LEGO® pieces.

The video below captures some of the potential of this kit.

The Brown Dog Projects website also has a collection of step-by-step project guides. 

Read More LEGO® Posts

Mars Rover for Micro:bit or Raspberry Pi Zero

With all the excitement of the NASA Mars 2020 Mission launch on 30th July, maybe you fancy building your own Mars Rover vehicle.

Then take a look at the 4tronix MARS Rover Robot Kit.

The self-assembly kit is loosely based on the NASA/JPL Curiosity and Mars 2020 rover designand uses a similar rocker arm, bogey and differential arm mechanism.

It can be controlled with either a Micro:bit or Raspberry Pi Zero and comes complete with coding support for both these boards.

MARS Rover Robot Kit features include:
• 6 Motors - 80 rpm 6V, N20 micro gear motors
• 4 Servos - MG90S metal gear analog micro servos
• 4 Fire LEDS
• Ultrasonic distance sensor on steerable mast
• 30 special PCBs
• 11 different PCB designs

Scratch 3.0 - Out Now

The latest edition of the popular block-based Scratch coding language, version 3.0, is out now.

Version 3 has been completely rewritten to work in any modern HTML 5 browser. This means it'll also work on most tablets. And it's also available as a Mac or Windows standalone download (with iOS and Android coming soon).

There's a New Paint Editor and New Sound Editor, an extended range of Fonts and much more. For more information on the new features check out the Official Scratch 3.0 video.

Scratch 3.0 Extensions add support for a wide range of functionality including:
• digital pen support (to help create those custom sprites and their costumes)
• Video Sensing
• Music blocks
• Text-to-Speech
• Language Translation
• the Micro:bit platform
• Lego® Mindstorms EV3

To start coding goto the Scratch 3.0 Tutorial or just Dive Into the Scratch 3.0 Editor.

Try my Free micro:bit MicroPython Coding Tutorials page.

Updated Mu Python/MicroPython Editor

Previously, in my micro:bit MicroPython Coding Tutorials I introduced a easy-to-use coding editor, with full micro:bit MicroPython support, called Mu.

Now there's an updated version of Mu available for download for the Raspberry Pi, plus devices running the Windows, macOS and Linux operating systems.

One of the most important additions to Mu is an extended set of coding modes including:
• Python 3 coding
• MicroPython micro:bit coding
• Pygame Zero game coding
• Adafruit Circuit board support

Try My Free Python Coding Tutorials

Getting Started with the micro:bit book review

Goal of this book is to deliver a practical introductory guide to microcontrollers, how they work and how to extend their functionality using electronic circuits and code.

The educational theme is accentuated by:
• easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions
• full colour images and diagrams
• fully explained code examples - with coloured syntax
• electronic circuit diagrams
• electronics theory plus example calculations
• topic-specific ‘Going Further’ challenges
• end-of-chapter quizzes (with end-of-book answers)

The first chapter is a basic introduction into the microbit board, its component, control capabilities and interfacing to external devices.

While chapter two introduces basic coding techniques using the popular web-based Microsoft block editor.

The next three chapters offer more advanced coding examples, including controlling the LED display, A and B button interaction, creating programs with loops and decision logic.

The remaining chapters dig a little deeper into digital and analog I/O, with real-world project examples such as detecting battery level, temperature and movement.

Free micro:bit MicroPython Coding Tutorials

micro:bit MOVE Mini robot

At last month's local CoderDojo I noticed a couple of MOVE mini buggy kits for the micro:bit, a low-cost introduction to robotics from Kitronik.

The basic MOVE mini kit requires mechanical assembly only, no soldering required. While add-on kits - such as Bulldozer, Tipper Truck and Bumper - enhance the robotic building possibilities.

This two-wheeled robot is powered by two servo motors. In addition there are five individually addressable coloured LEDs (NeoPixel compatible), which can be used as indicators, reversing lights and so on. You can also add a pen for LOGO-style graphical shape and plot drawing.

It can be controlled in a number of ways: via the micro:bit board; or remotely via a free Android app; or using a second micro:bit and its radio communication functionality.

Write your code using the Servo blocks in the Microsoft MakeCode Block editor. Alternatively, try the Kitronik-created Servo:Lite custom blocks, which simplify the coding process even further. To get started read the guides and tutorials on the associated Kitronic website.

Try my free micro:bit MicroPython coding tutorials