GPIO boards, Shopping

New GPIO breakout with analog inputs from Nwazet for the #RaspberryPi

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Fantastic new product from Nwazet.

The ‘Key Lime Pi’ kit breaks out the Raspberry Pi’s GPIO connector, adds eight 10-bit analog inputs, converts the Pi’s serial interface into astandard FTDI connector and allows for external power headers to be added if desired (standard 0.1″ pin headersand JST-PH vertical header). So, it’s a GPIO breakout AND adds analog inputs. Fantastic. And only $9. For the UK, the shipping is extortionate – $25.

You’re not telling me that sticking a couple of tiny tiny boards in a padded bag and sending it by Air Mail costs $25. Shame, really. Could’ve quite happily bought one or two of these!

Frankly, if I could find 9 other people who wanted one of these, I’d buy them like a shot and then just share the postage!

Find out more about the board and buy here

Education, Robotics

Educational robot The Finch gets #RaspberryPi support / @Raspberry_Pi

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BirdBrain Technologies‘ robot product, The Finch, has been given support on the Raspberry Pi. Here’s what they say about it on their site:

The Finch is a new robot for computer science education. Its design is the result of a four year study at Carnegie Mellon’s CREATE lab.

The Finch is designed to support an engaging introduction to the art of programming. It has support for over a dozen programming languages and environments, including several environments appropriate for students as young as eight years old.

The Finch was designed to allow students to write richly interactive programs. On-board features include:

  • Light, temperature, and obstacle sensors

  • Accelerometers

  • Motors

  • Buzzer

  • Full-color beak LED

  • Pen mount for drawing capability

  • Plugs into USB port – no batteries required

The Finch is manufactured under license from Carnegie Mellon University.

Here’s a video of it in action:

The Finch is available for about $99 from their site.