The BBC Micro Bit now comes with two buttons and a built in motion sensor, these features were not included in the original prototype. Micro:bits were fixed to all manner of household items, including a frying pan that tells you when to flip a pancake or when your omelette might be burnt. “The BBC is one of the few organisations in the world that could convene something on this scale, with such an unprecedented partnership at its core”.
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However, rather than being a direct competitor, the Micro Bit is instead being billed as a companion device to existing machines like Raspberry Pi, Arduino and Galileo.
The scheme is part of the Make It Digital campaign, and is a collaboration between a host of companies, including technology giants Microsoft and Samsung – and the Corporation said the hope is that distributing the micro:bit would trigger an increase in “digital creativity” that could help close the skills shortage that now exists in the technology sector. It also works with other devices via Bluetooth, such as the equally little Raspberry Pi.
The BBC also said it will be setting up a non-profit organisation around the Micro:bit and making the hardware open-source to allow firms to alter and sell Micro:bit devices in the United Kingdom and internationally.
It also has five Input/Output rings, which can transmit data and commands to other devices or sensors.
“The BBC micro:bit is all about young people learning to express themselves digitally, and it’s their device to own”.
Sinead Rocks, Head of BBC Learning, commented: “We happily give children paint brushes when they’re young, with no experience – it should be exactly the same with technology”.
Two programmable buttons activated when pressed. Share creations or join forces to create multi-micro:bit masterpieces.
In addition to being funded by the BBC, the Micro Bit has external funding and assistance from nearly 30 partner organisation. The micro:bit sees the BBC following in the wake of the Raspberry Pi, providing a cheap, low-powered board that aims to introduce children to coding.
Product champions, who will help to support the device through outreach, engagement, educational resources and additional services include, Bluetooth SIG, Bright Future, Cannybots, Cisco, Code Club, Coderdojo, Code Kingdoms, Creative Digital Solutions, CultureTECH, Institution of Engineering and Technology, Kitronik, London Connected Learning Centre, MyMiniFactory, Python Software Foundation, STEMNET, TeenTech and the Tinder Foundation. TouchDevelop lets developers of any skill level create apps for smartphones, tablets or PCs, whether they’re using Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android.
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The devices will be arriving in schools from late October, allowing children to settle in, and teachers to incorporate the devices into the curriculum.
