What is a Microbit
BBC MicroBit is the credit card size Open source hardware ARM-based Embedded System which was designed by the BBC to initially promote Computer Science and programming Education in the United Kingdom and was distributed for free in UK Schools, but it can also be purchased by Many Programming Enthusiasts throughout the World.
BBC MicroBit runs on an ARM Cortex-M0 processor, it has a built MagnetoMeter, Accelerometer, 25 LEDs arranged in a 5x5 grid to display numbers and shapes based on the program code. In addition to this, the BBC Microbit has two buttons A and B to help provide user input. The newer version has a Touch sensor too, which adds to the input facility provided on the board. The Microbit has a USB port to transfer programs from the PC to its 256 KB of Flash memory. It also has 16KB RAM, but the newer version has the flash and RAM increase to 512KB and 128 KB.
It has its Custom IDEs and Programming can be done using JavaScript, MicroPython, C, C++ on these IDEs, there is even a block Programming facility that makes it easier for newbies to get a hang of Programming.
With MicroBit numerous Projects are possible, from Simpler Projects like making Dice to Complex Robotic Based Projects.
Applications of BBC MicroBit :
1. MotorBike Simulator:
Imagine Converting a random Handle Bar into a Motor Bike Handle and using it to simulate Bike Racing Game Movements. Sounds Interesting right? It can be made Possible by BBC micro bit, all you need is a long enough USB cable connected to your PC or Laptop where the game is Installed and fixing the MicroBit on the Handle.
The main idea is to use to Accelerometer which is inbuilt on the BBC Microbit and a python module called “input”.Then write the program that would convert the Accelerometer values into Keyboard commands. The Laptop would think that it is receiving input from the keyboard, but it would be the accelerometer value shifts because of moving the handle in a certain way, and an if statement fulling the conversions to keyboard inputs.
A simple yet interesting Project made possible with Microbit
Ref: Media.itPro Website
2. Combination Lock:
How awesome would it be to have the customizable Combination lock that we built to safeguard our stuff. This is made possible by using a BBC Microbit with some copper tape, crocodile clips, and simple MicroBit programming.
The idea is to write a program that continuously checks whether the circuit is closed or open, if it is open then the Alarm or Buzzer attached to the box goes off. You can program the buttons of the Microbit to input numbers on the MicroBit LED panel and if the combination of numbers is entered correctly then the circuit can be opened with the buzzer going off. This can be done by using a simple If else loop.
ref:Tech Will Save Us website
3. Steps Counter:
A Interesting Application with its name describing its purpose, this project will help you keep track of your steps along with helping you get used to programming. All you need is a BBC micro bit, a battery, and something to attach the micro bit to your leg. The Micobit’s Accelerometer is the backbone of this project. You just need to monitor the accelerometer value changes and according to the changes you need to increment the steps variable by 1.It is that simple. You can also add a reset steps facility by using the buttons on the board and can use the LED panels to display step Counts.
ref: Sanity.io website
4. Temperature Reader:
One Can build a temperature Reader with BBC Microbit and a TMP36 which is a low voltage, precision centigrade temperature sensor. We need to connect the three pins of the TMP 36 ‘s Voltage, Ground, and Analog Output to the IO pins of the MicroBit with crocodile clips. The rest is just the coding part, one needs to configure the Microbit, to read from its input pin that would 750 mV for 25-degree centigrade, thus accordingly one has to code a program and burn it into the flash of BBC Microbit and display it on the LED panel of the Microbit and Voila! You have your very own Temperature Sensor.
ref: Proto Pic
