The BBC micro:bit, a pocket-sized (4cm×5cm) ARM development board designed for helping children to learn programming skills, is now updated to the new V2 version. You can use your BBC micro:bit for all sorts of cool creations including digital games, musical instruments, robots, scientific experiments, wearable devices, and more...
The micro:bit V2 adopts faster ARM Cortex-M4 nRF52833 processor, integrates 2.4G Radio/BLE Bluetooth 5.0, and now includes built-in MEMS microphone, speaker, and touch sensitive logo pin, enabling people to get creative more easily through sound and touch sensing. It also offers 5x5 red LED matrix with separate control for each LED, and two programmable user buttons that can be used to control games or pause/skip songs on a playlist. The micro:bit V2 has a motion sensor which combines 3-axis sensing accelerometer, together with magnetometer that can be used as compass or magnetic field strength sensor.
Create | Learn | Code
What are the differences in V2.0
Designed specifically for kids and beginners, the micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that you can code, customize and control to bring your digital ideas, games and apps to life. It’s a small, code-able device that is a non-intimidating introduction to programming and making – switch on, program it to do something fun – wear it, customize it, develop new ideas.
At half the size of a credit card, you will be surprised at the amount of hardware each board is equipped with, including 25 red LED lights that can flash messages. There are two programmable buttons that can be used to control games or pause and skip songs on a playlist. The micro:bit can even detect motion and tell you which direction you’re heading. It can also use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to interact with other devices and the Internet.
A closer look at the front of the V2 board, the 5x5 LED array is still there for you to display words, numbers, and of course the two programmable buttons! V2 board comes with a MEMS microphone input hole and a mic indicator LED. If the sound input is enabled in the program or your code, the mic indicator will be illuminated. And not to forget the micro:bit logo, it is now a capacitive touch sensor. It can be used to detect touch.
The microcontroller on the micro:bit V2 is now nRF52833 with double the memory size to 512KB Flash, and 8 times larger size of RAM to 128KB. With the upgrades of the main controller, micro:bit V2 is now Bluetooth 5.0 and also BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).
Besides the MCU, the co-microcontroller that handles USB connection, KL26Z with 16KB RAM is being upgraded to KL27Z with 32KB of RAM too. micro:bit V2 still comes with an accelerometer, compass, and Bluetooth Smart antenna, as well as a micro USB and two-pin JST connector for different power options.
At the bottom of the board, you will still get the 20 gold-tabbed edge pins and however, the five ring connectors (three for digital/analog I/O, two for power and ground) for hooking up external components now come with notched edges. These notched edges will help the insert to the socket.
Clap heartsClap your hands to make the heart beat using the sound sensor |
BumblebeeFly your bumblebee to see how motion affects the frequency, tempo and volume of its sound |
Hold the noteKeep singing to make all the LEDs light up |
MimicTalk to your micro:bit and listen to it mimic the rhythm of your speech |
The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that introduces you to how software and hardware work together. It has an LED light display, buttons, sensors, a speaker, microphone and many other input/output features that, when programmed, let it interact with you and your world.
Visit What is the micro:bit? to find out more or explore all the features in depth through short videos.
You will need a computer, tablet or phone to write and send code to the micro:bit, but once the code is on the micro:bit it works as a standalone device with just the battery pack. Visit getting started for support taking your first steps with the micro:bit.
The Micro:bit Educational Foundation produces free coding tools and teaching resources to support you as you explore the potential of the micro:bit: