BBC micro:bit

BBC micro:bit

The initial edit of this article is written by the BBC - specifically by the programme manager responsible for delivering this project. It is being published on 7th July in parallel with the launch event.

To create this article I've drawn on information from the press pack that we are providing at the event, but there is a LOT more info that people attending the launch will be exposed to, such as some of the amazing things the micro:bit can do and specifics about the roll-out plan. As articles are written I will reference them in the External Links section.

For the record, the BBC micro:bit team own the twitter handle @BBCmicrobit but, in the short-term at least, will be using the Make it Digital account (@BBCMiDigital) for the majority of our tweets.

Introduction

The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized, codeable computer that is designed to inspire children to get creative with technology.

The micro:bit initiative is a collaboration amongst a wide ranging group of partner organisations with the objective to give one of these pocket-sized computers to every year 7 pupil in the UK for free.

Ultimately the goal is to inspire digital creativity and help to develop a new generation of tech pioneers.

Multi-organisation Partnership

One of the most rewarding and also challenging aspects of this project is that it is a collaboration between 29 different partner organisations, coordinated by the Learning department of the BBC (that's the same team that, amongst MANY other things, is responsible for Bitesize). These organisations have all put aside commercial interests and rivalry to work together for an outcome that will leave a lasting and beneficial legacy, and I salute my partners in this endeavour for their hard work and contributions.

Partner organisations are contributing everything from time to expertise, hardware components to hard cash and, perhaps most importantly of all, open inspiration and support for each other.

Partners Organisations include:

• ARM - providing mbed hardware, software development kits and compiler services
• Barclays - supporting overall product delivery and outreach activities
• element14 - sourcing components and managing the manufacturing
• Freescale - supplying the sensors and USB controllers
• Lancaster University - created and wrote the micro:bit runtime
• Microsoft - providing the TouchDevelop web-based programming tools and hosting service as well as teacher training materials
• Nordic Semiconductor - supplying the main processor and enabled Bluetooth Smart
• ScienceScope - distributing to schools and developing the iOS App
• Samsung – connecting the BBC micro:bit to phones and tablets
• Technology Will Save Us - designed the shape, look and feel of the device
• The Wellcome Trust – providing initiatives and learning opportunities for schools

In addition to these, product champions will help to support the device through outreach, engagement, educational resources and additional services. These organisations include, Bright Future, Canny Bots, Cisco, Code Club, Coderdojo, Code Kingdoms, Creative Digital Solutions, CultureTECH, MyMiniFactory, Institution of Engineering and Technology, Kitronic, London Connected Learning Centre, Python Software Foundation, STEMNET, TeenTech and the Tinder Foundation.

Hardware Details

The micro:bit is remarkably small - 5cm by 4cm and weighing in at just 6 grams. That's small enough to fit snugly into the hand of an 11 year old, and less than half the size of the average smart phone. Despite its small size a lot of exciting tech is packed into it:

• 25 red LEDs to light up, flash messages, create games and invent digital stories
• 2 programmable buttons activated when pressed. Use the micro:bit as a games controller. Pause or skip songs on a playlist.
• On-board motion detector or “accelerometer’ that can detect movement and tell other devices you’re on the go. Featured actions include shake, tilt and freefall. Turn the micro:bit into a spirit level. Light it up when something is moved. Use it for motion-activated games.
• A built-in compass or “magnetometer” to sense which direction you’re facing, and your movement in degrees, and where you are. Includes an in-built magnet, and can sense certain types of metal.
• Bluetooth Smart to connect to the internet and interact with the world around you. Connect the micro:bit to other micro:bits, devices, kits, phones, tablets, cameras and everyday objects all around. Share creations or join forces to create multi-micro:bit masterpieces. Take a selfie. Pause a DVD or control your playlist.
• 5 Input and Output (I/O) rings to connect the micro:bit to devices or sensors using crocodile clips or 4mm banana plugs. Use the micro:bit to send commands to and from the rings, to power devices like robots and motors.

Programming the micro:bit

Every component on the micro:bit is completely programmeable, and to ensure that the micro:bit is engaging to both beginners and experts a number of different code editors are in development. These will cover C++, javascript, Python and there is even a simple builder that can be used by people for whom writing code is as appetising as a trip to the dentist!

To support the coding environments an array of learning materials are also being produced, from instructional videos to how-to guides.

What Does it Look Like?

Who says its impossible to keep a secret in the digital age? At least 40 micro:bits have been in circulation for a month now, and it is remarkable that not a single photo of the real micro:bit exists on any public web page I can find. All the images are of the older proof-of-concept prototypes.

You can see the real thing on the BBC website.

What Can it Do?

The micro:bit is a platform with vast potential and is everything from a fun device to encourage kids to code to an affordable node that will allow you to connect devices to the IoT. A number of inspiring applications are being demonstrated at the launch event today, including:

• wearing the device and having scrolling text display a message.
• fun apps that use the devices components, such as a spirit level game using the accelerometer.
• using the device to control robots (we played around with controlling a drone, but thanks to health and safety we could not demo this at the launch event).
• using the device to activate and control an app on your (Bluetooth Smart enabled) mobile / tablet. We're demoing it taking selfies, but with the app support that is being developed it could be used to control just about anything on your phone.

What is going to be very interesting is what the target market come up with - once almost 800k year 7s get their hands on these devices we will begin to see some very interesting applications emerge.

Will They Be Commercially Available?

You will be able to buy micro:bits on the open market before the end of the year.

A great deal of effort is being put into ensuring that the project leaves a legacy... the plan is not that the micro:bit initiative ends when the first million have been despatched, rather that such a momentum exists that interest in the device will persist long after the initial project is complete. BBC are setting up a not-for-profit umbrella to manage the marque and hardware specifications will be open-sourced.

References

The information in this article is taken from the press pack that was released during the launch event. As mentioned in the intro, the original draft of this article was created by the BBC. The article is not locked for editing though, so BBC cannot be responsible for content that is added to the original edit.

External Links

There are a lot of articles out there, but (at least before the product launch) most of them are speculative and few are accurate. The articles below are accurate:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/makeitdigital/micro-bit

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/entries/39ad813f-9863-403f-8b7f-63ebdd5a7569

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-33409311

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/microbit?sf39200145=1

http://www.engadget.com/gallery/bbc-micro-bit/