Summary of Espruino Pico: JavaScript on a USB Stick
Espruino Pico is a tiny USB microcontroller board that runs JavaScript, enabling direct, interactive control of electronics from any USB-equipped device. Its compact Espruino firmware fits in a single chip, offering low power use (over 10 years on a 3V AA lithium cell), easy wiring for common digital components, and quick setup so beginners can prototype and iterate rapidly.
Parts used in the Espruino Pico:
- Espruino Pico microcontroller board (USB stick form factor)
- USB cable or USB host device
- 3V AA-sized lithium cell (for low-power operation)
- Common digital components (sensors, LEDs, buttons, actuators) as documented
- Wires for connections
Control Electronics quickly and easily with a USB key that runs JavaScript
Stretch Goals
Features added for the Stretch Goals won’t just be added to the Espruino Pico, but to the original Espruino Board as well!
What is Espruino Pico?
It’s a tiny microcontroller board that runs JavaScript, making it easier than ever to control electronics in the real world.
Espruino Pico has everything you need pre-installed. It can be used from virtually any device with a USB port so you can get started in seconds.
Why is it special?
This is the first time you’ve been able to get a scripting language in such a small package, and it opens a whole world of possibilities. Rather than just writing code, deploying it to a board and hoping it works, you can now interact with the hardware directly – querying and changing voltage levels and interacting with external components until you get everything just as you want it.
This is all made possible by the Espruino firmware, which is so compact that it can fit inside a single chip – reducing power consumption, cost, and size. An Espruino Pico board can run for over 10 years on a single AA-sized 3v lithium cell!
What’s it like to use?
Check out the video below – you can be writing your first code in just a minute or two!
But I don’t know electronics!
Most modern digital components need just a few wires to work, which can be connected straight to the Espruino Pico. We’ve documented all the common components – with instructions on how to wire them up and the software you need to use them – it’s almost as easy as Lego!
What can I use it for?
Anything and everything! Have a look at the video below to see just how easy it is to make things with Espruino Pico:
For more detail: Espruino Pico: JavaScript on a USB Stick
- What is Espruino Pico?
It is a tiny microcontroller board that runs JavaScript and connects via USB. - How do I connect Espruino Pico to my computer?
Use any device with a USB port; Espruino Pico works as a USB device for immediate use. - Can a beginner use Espruino Pico without electronics experience?
Yes; digital electronics are simple, common components need just a few wires and documented examples are provided. - What makes Espruino Pico special?
Its compact Espruino firmware fits in a single chip, enabling scripting on a tiny, low-power USB board. - How long can Espruino Pico run on a battery?
An Espruino Pico board can run for over 10 years on a single AA-sized 3V lithium cell according to the article. - Does Espruino Pico support interacting with hardware directly?
Yes; you can query and change voltages and interact with external components directly using JavaScript. - Are stretch goal features applied to other Espruino boards?
Yes; features added for the Stretch Goals will also be added to the original Espruino Board. - What can I use Espruino Pico for?
Anything from prototyping to controlling electronics; it makes creating hardware projects easy and interactive.
