Raspberry Pi Pico — RP2040 Microcontroller Board for Everyday Projects

The Raspberry Pi Pico is a small, affordable, yet powerful microcontroller board built around the RP2040 chip. With a dual‑core Arm Cortex‑M0+, 264 kB SRAM, and flexible I/O, it offers the performance you need for real‑world electronics without the complexity of a full Linux computer.

Program it using MicroPython, C/C++, or CircuitPython, then combine it with sensors, displays, relays, and motors catalog to create responsive, reliable embedded systems. It’s a great base for automation, experimentation, and learning fundamentals of firmware development.

Why choose Raspberry Pi Pico

Affordable and capable: RP2040 dual‑core MCU with plenty of RAM and flash for typical embedded tasks.
Flexible I/O: 26 multi‑function GPIO pins, ADCs, PWM, I²C, SPI, UART, and unique PIO blocks for custom protocols.
Beginner‑friendly: Drag‑and‑drop programming over USB plus a massive community of examples and tutorials.
Low‑power options: Sleep and dormant modes make it suitable for battery‑powered or energy‑harvesting builds.

Typical projects and use cases

Sensor nodes and data loggers: Read temperature, light, distance, or gas sensors and log data to SD card or send via serial/Wi‑Fi module.
Robot controllers: Drive DC motors, servos, or steppers for small cars, robot arms, and smart mechanisms.
Custom USB devices: Build DIY keyboards, MIDI controllers, or HID gadgets that speak directly to a PC.
Learning kits: Teach C/C++, MicroPython, interrupts, and finite‑state machines in a hands‑on way.

Starter bundles

Pico basic lab: Pico + breadboard + jumper wires + LED and resistor pack.
Sensor starter: Pico + sensor variety kit + USB cable + simple display.
Robotics starter: Pico + motor driver + DC/servo motors and battery holder.

Recommended add‑ons

USB cable for power, programming, and debugging.
Common sensors such as temperature, distance, IMU, and current sensors.
OLED or LCD display for menus, graphs, and status readouts.
Motor driver boards for robots, pumps, valves, and actuators.

Technical specifications

Microcontroller	RP2040 dual‑core Arm Cortex‑M0+ @ up to 133 MHz
SRAM	264 kB on‑chip
Flash	2 MB on‑board QSPI flash
GPIO	26 multi‑function GPIO pins (3.3 V logic) with castellated pads
Analog	3 × 12‑bit ADC channels + internal temperature sensor
Peripherals	2 × I²C, 2 × SPI, 2 × UART, 16 × PWM channels, USB 1.1 (device)
PIO	2 × Programmable I/O (PIO) blocks, 4 state machines each, for custom interfaces
Power input	USB 5 V or 1.8–5.5 V via VSYS pin
Operating temperature	Typical −20 °C to +85 °C range
Form factor	21 × 51 mm board with breadboard‑friendly layout

Pinout & power notes

3.3 V GPIO only: Use level shifters or voltage dividers when interfacing with 5 V devices.
VSYS input: Power from USB or an external 1.8–5.5 V supply such as a battery pack.
BOOTSEL button: Hold while plugging in USB to enter mass‑storage programming mode for quick firmware updates.

What’s in the box

1 × Raspberry Pi Pico board (without headers, unless specified by variant)

FAQ

Is Raspberry Pi Pico a full Linux computer?: No. Pico is a microcontroller board (similar in spirit to an Arduino), designed for bare‑metal or RTOS‑style firmware rather than desktop Linux.
What languages can I use?: You can use C/C++ with the official SDK, or MicroPython and CircuitPython for faster iteration and easier syntax.
What accessories work well with Pico?: Any 3.3 V‑friendly sensors, motor drivers, and displays from Circuitrocks will pair nicely, especially modules that expose I²C, SPI, or UART interfaces.