MicroPython on the BBC micro:bit
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2015 7:22 am
If you're based in the UK (or even if you're not) you may have heard about the BBC's micro:bit project; http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/microbit
The micro:bit is a small wearable microcontroller board based on an nRF51 chip. The project will see 1 million of these computing devices given away to the nation's eleven-year-olds sometime in the coming spring. The intention is to inspire digital creativity in children, by giving them a physical device with which they can write cool programs.
From the beginning the BBC have said that Python would be one of the possible languages that the device can be programmed in. Since it's a microcontroller, and the aim is to run Python... well, there's a pretty obvious answer when trying to combine those two things.
We're incredibly pleased to announce that MicroPython runs on the BBC's micro:bit. Furthermore, all the work done so far is being open-sourced today and the repository can be found here: https://github.com/bbcmicrobit/micropython
To read more details and learn the story of how MicroPython came to be on the micro:bit, check out Nicholas Tollervey's blog post found here: http://ntoll.org/article/story-micropython-on-microbit
Finally, there is much to be done. We need help from people with skill and experience developing for such devices. Could you contribute something to a project that will touch the lives of 1 million British children? If so then please read the above-linked post by Nicholas, and head on over to the bbcmicrobit/micropython repository.
(Right now only the code related to the MicroPython port is released. When the device is delivered all the resources needed to recreate the entire project are to be released under an open license. The laudable intention being an unencumbered legacy so others can build upon and adapt the work of the partnership that has created this device.)
The micro:bit is a small wearable microcontroller board based on an nRF51 chip. The project will see 1 million of these computing devices given away to the nation's eleven-year-olds sometime in the coming spring. The intention is to inspire digital creativity in children, by giving them a physical device with which they can write cool programs.
From the beginning the BBC have said that Python would be one of the possible languages that the device can be programmed in. Since it's a microcontroller, and the aim is to run Python... well, there's a pretty obvious answer when trying to combine those two things.
We're incredibly pleased to announce that MicroPython runs on the BBC's micro:bit. Furthermore, all the work done so far is being open-sourced today and the repository can be found here: https://github.com/bbcmicrobit/micropython
To read more details and learn the story of how MicroPython came to be on the micro:bit, check out Nicholas Tollervey's blog post found here: http://ntoll.org/article/story-micropython-on-microbit
Finally, there is much to be done. We need help from people with skill and experience developing for such devices. Could you contribute something to a project that will touch the lives of 1 million British children? If so then please read the above-linked post by Nicholas, and head on over to the bbcmicrobit/micropython repository.
(Right now only the code related to the MicroPython port is released. When the device is delivered all the resources needed to recreate the entire project are to be released under an open license. The laudable intention being an unencumbered legacy so others can build upon and adapt the work of the partnership that has created this device.)
