Summary of The WiPy: The Internet of Things Taken to the Next Level
The WiPy is a low-power, Python-programmable IoT development board designed to make Internet of Things projects accessible for both beginners and professionals. It combines MicroPython with powerful hardware features like a strong CPU and state-of-the-art WiFi radio, enabling high-level coding with low-level control for various connected devices.
Parts used in the WiPy:
- WiPy Development Board
- MicroPython (Python 3.4 implementation)
- WiFi Radio
- CPU
- GPIOs
- Interfaces
- Peripherals
>>> The Internet Of Things
It’s concept is quite simple; the idea is to provide intelligence to everything that surrounds us, connect it to the internet, bring it to life, and make lots of cool things happen. Sounds nice, but how do you that? Here is the answer…
>>> Meet the WiPy
A small, super low power, inexpensive, and 100% Python programmable IoT development board. The WiPy takes the wireless freedom of WiFi and combines it with the power, flexibility, and ease of use of Python. We designed the WiPy from the ground up, with one goal in mind: “Let’s make IoT development fun both for beginners and professionals”.
- nexpensive, small and breadboard friendly.
- Ultra low power (850uA with the WiFi connection active)
- 100% PYTHON PROGRAMMABLE.
- Lots of GPIOs, interfaces and peripherals.
- Powerful CPU and state of the art WiFi radio.
>>> High level language with low level control
The core of the software running in the WiPy is MicroPython, a lean and mean implementation of Python 3, specifically optimized in terms of speed and memory to be able to run efficiently on microcontrollers.
MicroPython implements the entire Python 3.4 syntax (including exceptions, “with”, “yield from”, and so on). Most of the core datatypes are provided: str (including basic Unicode support), bytes, bytearray, tuple, list, dict, set, frozenset, array.array, collections.namedtuple, classes and instances. You named it, it’s likely there. MicroPython is in constant development, so new features are added all the time (for example, it already has some of the features of the upcoming Python 3.5).
>>> Why Python?
Python is a novice friendly language, very often selected by many schools to teach kids the basics of computer software, and yet, it’s in the core of professional applications and frameworks which drive the modern Internet (e.g: Django and Flask). Python offers high-level language features and libraries, yet it allows to go low level when fine grain control and real time behavior are needed, and MicroPython takes full advantage of all that.
For more detail: The WiPy The Internet of Things Taken to the Next Level
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What is the main goal of the WiPy design?
The goal is to make IoT development fun for both beginners and professionals. -
How much power does the WiPy consume with WiFi active?
It consumes 850uA with the WiFi connection active. -
What programming language is the WiPy 100% compatible with?
The WiPy is 100% Python programmable using MicroPython. -
Does MicroPython support all Python 3.4 syntax features?
Yes, it implements the entire Python 3.4 syntax including exceptions and yield from. -
Why is Python chosen for the WiPy project?
Python is novice-friendly for education yet drives professional applications like Django and Flask. -
Can MicroPython handle low-level control tasks?
Yes, it allows users to go low level when fine grain control and real time behavior are needed.
