Raspberry Pi has launched three new versions of its cheapest board PicoEach upgrade features a different combination.
The most exciting addition is the Pico W, a carbon-copy of the original with one important addition: support for wireless internet. The new microcontroller board is 50% more expensive, but is unlikely to break the bank at just $ 6 per unit.
Raspberry Pi is also launching new Pico H ($ 5) and Pico WH ($ 7) models, adding pre-populated headers to the original Pico and Pico W, respectively, and the firm’s new 3-pin debug connector.
New raspberry pie pico
Launched in January last year, Raspberry Pi Pico has been billed as the ultimate IoT platform, which has put the company directly against Arduino’s preference. Although the Pico is not equipped to run a full-fat operating system like other pie boards, it can be easily programmed to control sensors, motors, and other peripherals.
“Whether you’re looking for a standalone board for deep-embedded development or a companion to your Raspberry Pi computer, or you’re taking your first steps with a microcontroller, this is the board for you,” said James Adams, Raspberry Pi COO, at the time of release.
Since launch, Raspberry Pi has sold nearly two million pico boards, with the custom RP2040 microcontroller at the heart of which has also entered several third-party products. But now, the company is introducing new models to address an obvious flaw.
“Fast core, large memory and flexible interfacing make the RP2040 a natural building block for IoT applications. But Pico itself has one obvious missing feature for IoT: a way to connect to the network. Now, that is about to change, ”wrote Espen Upton, CEO of Raspberry Pi Blog post.
“We worked with our friends at Infineon to add their CYW43439 wireless chip to Pico W. Like all modern raspberry pie boards, the radio circuitry is enclosed in a metal shield can, which reduces compliance costs for customers who want to integrate it with them. Own product. “
Although CYW43439 also offers support for Bluetooth, Upton says that Pico W will not be Bluetooth-enabled at launch, but may include the feature in the future.
Raspberry Pi says Pico W and Pico H are available for immediate purchase, with Pico WH set to hit the shelves sometime next month.
