Raspberry Pi-based Eye Catcher
A standard sand clock just shows how time passes. In contrast, this Raspberry Pi Pico-controlled sand clock shows the exact time by “engraving” the four digits for hour and minute into the layer of sand. After an adjustable time the sand is flattened out by two vibration motors and everything begins all over again.
At the heart of the sand clock are two servo motors driving a writing pen through a pantograph mechanism. A third servo motor lifts the pen up and down. The sand container is equipped with two vibration motors to flatten the sand. The electronic part of the sand clock consists of a Raspberry Pi Pico and an RTC/driver board with a real-time clock, plus driver circuits for the servo motors.
A detailed construction manual is available for downloading.
Features
Dimensions: 135 x 110 x 80 mm
Build time: approx. 1.5 to 2 hours
Included
3x Precut acrylic sheets with all mechanical parts
3x Mini servo motors
2x Vibration motors
1x Raspberry Pi Pico
1x RTC/driver board with assembled parts
Nuts, bolts, spacers, and wires for the assembly
Fine-grained white sand
39 Experiments with Raspberry Pi and Arduino
This book is about Raspberry Pi 3 and Arduino camera projects.
The book explains in simple terms and with tested and working example projects, how to configure and use a Raspberry Pi camera and USB based webcam in camera-based projects using a Raspberry Pi.
Example projects are given to capture images, create timelapse photography, record video, use the camera and Raspberry Pi in security and surveillance applications, post images to Twitter, record wildlife, stream live video to YouTube, use a night camera, send pictures to smartphones, face and eye detection, colour and shape recognition, number plate recognition, barcode recognition and many more.
Installation and use of popular image processing libraries and software including OpenCV, SimpleCV, and OpenALPR are explained in detail using a Raspberry Pi. The book also explains in detail how to use a camera on an Arduino development board to capture images and then save them on a microSD card.
All projects given in this book have been fully tested and are working. Program listings for all Raspberry Pi and Arduino projects used in this book are available for download on the Elektor website.
This bundle gives you everything you need to get started right away with the XIAO ESP32-C3 development board. Learn the fundamentals of the ESP32-C3 and build practical projects with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, sensors, displays, PWM, Deep Sleep, and much more.
Book: Build Smart Projects with the XIAO ESP32-C3 Board
The XIAO ESP32-C3 board combines the ultra-compact form factor of the XIAO series with the full capabilities of the ESP32-C3 chip, including integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0. This book is a comprehensive, hands-on guide to getting the most out of this powerful yet affordable development board.
The author takes readers from the fundamentals to advanced projects. Starting with LED blinking and dimming, the book progresses to ADC and PWM for precise sensor interfacing and PWM-controlled lighting effects before moving on to building practical, real-world applications, including:
A Wi-Fi weather station with an OLED display and real-time online weather data
An ultrasonic parking assistant with audible feedback
A refrigerator monitoring probe with climate sensing and Deep Sleep for years of battery operation
A retro Pong game controlled by a touch-free sensor
A microphone-based party app that responds to claps
And much more: lighting control, reaction-time measurement, mains frequency analysis, soil moisture sensing, ambient LED lighting, and 7-segment displays
Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3
Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3 has equipped a highly-integrated ESP32-C3 chip, built around a 32-bit RISC-V chip processor with a four-stage pipeline that operates at up to 160 MHz.
The board equips highly-integrated ESP32-C3 SoC. The chip has been installed with a complete 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi subsystem which means it supports Station mode, SoftAP mode, SoftAP & Station mode, and promiscuous mode for multiple Wi-Fi applications. It works under an ultra-low power state, also supporting features of Bluetooth 5 and Bluetooth mesh. There are 400 KB SRAM & 4 MB Flash on the chip, allowing for more programming space, and bringing more possibilities to the IoT control scenarios.
Applications
Internet of Things
Wearable devices
Health monitoring
Education
Low-Power networking
Rapid prototyping
Specifications
Processor
ESP32-C3 SoC
RISC-V single-core 32-bit chip processor with a four-stage pipeline that operates at up to 160 MHz
Wireless
Complete 2.4GHz Wi-Fi subsystem
Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0/ Bluetooth Mesh
On-chip Memory
400 KB SRAM & 4 MB Flash
Interface
1x UART, 1x I²C, 1x SPI, 11x GPIO (PWM), 4x ADC
1x Reset button, 1x Boot button
Power (Typ.)
Max 3.3 V Output Current: 500 mA Test Condition: BAT Pin Input @ 3.8 V Source Capability: 3 A
Charging current: 380 mA(Fast) / 40 mA(Trickle)
Input voltage (VIN): 5 VInput voltage (BAT): 3.7 V
Deep Sleep Power Consumption
Deep Sleep Mode: 44 μA
Wi-Fi Enabled Power Consumption
Active Mode: 75 mA
Modem-sleep Mode: 25 mA
Light-sleep Mode: 4 mA
BLE Enabled Power Consumption
Modem-sleep Mode: 27 mA
Light-sleep Mode: 10 mA
Dimensions
21 x 17.8 mm
Included
1x Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3
1x Antenna
2x 7-pin header
Downloads
Wiki
Datasheet
This bundle contains:
Book: Build Smart Projects with the XIAO ESP32-C3 Board (normal price: €35)
Board: Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3 (normal price: €10)
This complete Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller programming course features a textbook, a component kit, hands-on projects, and a comprehensive online course with simulations. It is ideal for step-by-step learning of embedded systems programming in MicroPython using a practical, hands-on approach.
A Practical Introduction to Embedded Systems with the Raspberry Pi Pico
This course is designed for people who are new to embedded systems and looking for a structured, example-driven way to get started.
A kit of parts comprising LEDs and resistors, switches, sensors and actuators, displays, a breadboard and wires, and more is included. These are used in the course to illustrate example applications.
No prior experience with Arduino or embedded development is required. Each section features hands-on examples and mini projects designed to reinforce key concepts and inspire deeper exploration. By the end of the course, you’ll be able not only to reproduce the examples but also to build on them with your own ideas and applications.
What Will You Learn?
Microcontroller programming in MicroPython with the Raspberry Pi Pico using the Thonny IDE
Working with Digital I/O, read buttons and encoders, control LEDs and relays
Read analog inputs, voltages, and analog sensors
Generating analog output signals and PWM
Use serial communication like UART, I²C and SPI to control displays and read digital sensors and SD cards
Managing time
Working with interrupts
Real-time sensor input and control via buttons, LEDs, and displays
Control actuators like relays and servo motors
Who Is It For?
Students and self-learners exploring embedded systems
Makers and IoT enthusiasts looking to improve their hardware skills
Educators and trainers seeking ready-to-teach material
What's Inside the Box?
Access to the full course on the Elektor Academy Pro Learning Platform
Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller board + USB cable
Book: Programming Microcontrollers in MicroPython
Downloadable project files for every module
Component Box:
2× LED, red, 5 mm
LED, green, 5 mm
3× Resistor, 470 Ω, 0.25 W
LDR
Potentiometer, 10 kΩ, linear
Pushbutton
Rotary encoder module
Relay module
DHT22 Humidity & Temperature Sensor
TM1637-compatible 4-digit 7-segment display
MPU-6050 IMU with headers
SSD1306-compatible I²C OLED display
Micro SD card adapter with header
Buzzer
SG90 Micro Servo
ILI9341-compatible SPI 240×320 TFT display
20× Jumper wires
Breadboard
All Programming Courses (and differences in content)
Course
Arduino
Raspberry Pi Pico with Arduino C/C++
ESP32 with Arduino C/C++
Raspberry Pi Pico with MicroPython
ESP32 with MicroPython
Online Course
Access to Arduino Course
Access to Pico with Arduino C/C++ Course
Access to ESP32 with Arduino C/C++ Course
Access to Pico with MicroPython Course
Access to ESP32 with MicroPython Course
Board
Uno R3
Raspberry Pi Pico
ESP32
Raspberry Pi Pico
ESP32
Book
Programming Microcontrollers in C/C++ Using Arduino
Programming Microcontrollers in C/C++ Using Arduino
Programming Microcontrollers in C/C++ Using Arduino
Programming Microcontrollers in MicroPython
Programming Microcontrollers in MicroPython
Kit
40-piece Component Box
40-piece Component Box
40-piece Component Box
40-piece Component Box
40-piece Component Box
Build Your Own Vintage Radio Broadcaster
The Elektor AM Transmitter Kit allows streaming audio to vintage AM radio receivers. Based on a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller module, the AM Transmitter can transmit on 32 frequencies in the AM band, from 500 kHz up to 1.6 MHz in 32 steps of approx. 35 kHz.
The frequency is selected with a potentiometer and shown on a 0.96" OLED display. A pushbutton allows toggles the transmitting mode between On and Off. The range of the transmitter depends on the antenna. The onboard antenna provides a range of a few centimeters, requiring the AM Transmitter to be placed close to or inside the radio. An external loop antenna (not included) can be connected to increase the range.
The Elektor AM Transmitter Kit comes as a kit of parts that you must solder to the board yourself.
Features
The board is compatible with a Hammond 1593N enclosure (not included).A 5 VDC power supply with micro-USB connector (e.g., an old phone charger) is needed to power the kit (not included). Current consumption is 100 mA.
The Arduino software (requiring Earle Philhower’s RP2040 Boards Package) for the Elektor AM Transmitter Kit plus more information is available at the Elektor Labs page of this project.
Component List
Resistors
R1, R4 = 100 Ω
R2, R3, R8 = 10 kΩ
R5, R6, R9, R10, R11 = 1 kΩ
R7 = optional (not included)
P1 = potentiometer 100 kΩ, linear
Capacitors
C1 = 22 µF 16V
C2, C4 = 10 nF
C3 = 150 pF
Miscellaneous
K1 = 4×1 pin socket
K2, K3 = 3.5 mm socket
Raspberry Pi Pico
pushbutton, angle mount
0.96" monochrome I²C OLED display
PCB 150292-1
This bundle contains the popular Elektor Sand Clock for Raspberry Pi Pico and the new Elektor Laser Head Upgrade, offering even more options for displaying the time. Not only can you "engrave" the current time in sand, you can now alternatively write it on a glow-in-the-dark foil or create green drawings.
Contents of the bundle
Elektor Sand Clock for Raspberry Pi Pico (normal price: €50)
Elektor Laser Head Upgrade for Sand Clock (normal price: €35)
Elektor Sand Clock for Raspberry Pi (Raspberry Pi-based Eye Catcher)
A standard sand clock just shows how time passes. In contrast, this Raspberry Pi Pico-controlled sand clock shows the exact time by "engraving" the four digits for hour and minute into the layer of sand. After an adjustable time the sand is flattened out by two vibration motors and everything begins all over again.
At the heart of the sand clock are two servo motors driving a writing pen through a pantograph mechanism. A third servo motor lifts the pen up and down. The sand container is equipped with two vibration motors to flatten the sand. The electronic part of the sand clock consists of a Raspberry Pi Pico and an RTC/driver board with a real-time clock, plus driver circuits for the servo motors.
A detailed construction manual is available for downloading.
Features
Dimensions: 135 x 110 x 80 mm
Build time: approx. 1.5 to 2 hours
Included
3x Precut acrylic sheets with all mechanical parts
3x Mini servo motors
2x Vibration motors
1x Raspberry Pi Pico
1x RTC/driver board with assembled parts
Nuts, bolts, spacers, and wires for the assembly
Fine-grained white sand
Elektor Laser Head Upgrade for Sand Clock
The new Elektor Laser Head transforms the Sand Clock into a clock that writes the time on glow-in-the-dark film instead of sand. In addition to displaying the time, it can also be used to create ephemeral drawings. The 5 mW laser pointer, with a wavelength of 405 nm, produces bright green drawings on the glow-in-the-dark film. For best results, use the kit in a dimly lit room. Warning: Never look directly into the laser beam!
The kit includes all the necessary components, but soldering three wires is required.
Note: This kit is also compatible with the original Arduino-based Sand Clock from 2017. For more details, see Elektor Magazine 1-2/2017 and Elektor Magazine 1-2/2018.
This book is about the Raspberry Pi 3 computer and its use in various control and monitoring applications. The book explains in simple terms and with tested and working example projects, how to configure the Raspberry Pi 3 computer, how to install and use the Linux operating system, and how to write hardware based applications programs using the Python programming language.
The nice feature of this book is that it covers many Raspberry Pi 3 based hardware projects using the latest hardware modules such as the Sense HAT, Swiss Pi, MotoPi, Camera module, and many other state of the art analog and digital sensors. An important feature of the Raspberry Pi 3 is that it contains on-board Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules. Example projects are given in the book on using the Wi-Fi and the Bluetooth modules to show how real-data can be sent to the Cloud using the Wi-Fi module, and also how to communicate with an Android based mobile phone using the Bluetooth module.
The book is ideal for self-study, and is intended for electronic/electrical engineering students, practising engineers, research students, and for hobbyists. It is recommended that the book should be followed in the given Chapter order.
Over 30 projects are given in the book. All the projects in the book are based on the Python programming language and they have been fully tested. Full program listings of every project are given in the book with comments and full descriptions. Experienced programmers should find it easy to modify and update the programs to suit their needs.
The following sub-headings are given for each project to make it as easy as possible for the readers to follow the projects:
Project title
Description
Aim of the project
Raspberry Pi type
Block diagram
Circuit diagram
Program listing
All-in-One AI Learning and Development Platform for Edge Intelligence
This NVIDIA Jetson-based AI Starter Kit is a versatile platform for learning, development, and hands-on experimentation in Edge AI.
Designed for use with the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano, the kit combines an 11.6-inch IPS display, an 8-megapixel pan-tilt camera, and an AI voice interaction system.
It includes 30 functional modules and 38 carefully designed Python courses that progress from beginner to advanced level. The course content covers Python fundamentals, sensor technology, AI vision, and image recognition.
With step-by-step practical exercises ranging from basic programming to real-world computer vision applications, this kit provides an ideal platform for students, makers, developers, and anyone looking to explore artificial intelligence and edge computing.
Please note: The NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano is not included.
Features
Designed for the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano
AI voice interaction module
8 MP camera with pan-tilt control
Supports object and face tracking
No soldering or complex wiring required
Built-in 11.6-inch IPS display
30 functional modules
38 step-by-step Python lessons
I²C, UART, and GPIO expansion interfaces
Portable carrying case included
Specifications
Main Processor
Jetson Orin Nano
Number of Sensors
30
Sensor Board Design
Integrated sensor board, no soldering or complex wiring required
Screen
11.6-inch IPS Screen
Screen Resolution
1366 x 768
Camera
IMX219 8MP
Expansion Interfaces
2x I²C, 1x UART, 1x IO D13, 1xIO D12
Programming Environment
Based on Python
Number of Tutorials
38 creative tutorials
Target Audience
Students, teachers, hardware enthusiasts
Application Scenarios
Ideal for learning AI programming, Jetson Orin Nano basics
Dimensions
300 x 200 x 100 mm
Module List
Module
Quantity
Temperature & Humidity Sensor
1 pcs
Button
4 pcs
Ultrasonic Ranging Sensor
1 pcs
Light Sensor
1 pcs
Linear Potentiometer
1 pcs
Buzzer
1 pcs
LCD
1 pcs
Infrared Remote
1 pcs
Relay
1 pcs
NFC
1 pcs
PIR Motion Sensor
1 pcs
Joystick
1 pcs
4-Digital Display
1 pcs
LED
1 pcs
Microphone
1 pcs
Speaker
1 pair
Vibration Motor
1 pcs
Touch Sensor
1 pcs
8x8 RGB Matrix
1 pcs
Atmospheric pressure sensor
1 pcs
Tilt Switch
1 pcs
Stepper Motor
1 pcs
Accelerometer & Gyro
1 pcs
Gas Sensor (MQ2)
1 pcs
Hall Sensor
1 pcs
Rotary Encoder
1 pcs
U-shaped photoelectric switch
1 pcs
NTC
1 pcs
Servo
2 pcs
Monocular camera
1 pcs
Included
1x Elecrow AI Starter Kit for Jetson Orin Nano
1x IR Remote Control
1x NFC Card
1x 128 GB SD Card
1x 40-pin GPIO Cable
2x 22-pin FPC Cable
2x 24-pin FPC Cable
1x Jetson DP & USB Adapter Board
Not included
NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano
Downloads
Manual
Wiki
OpenClaw Install and Config Guide
TurtleBot 4 is the next-generation of the world’s most popular open source robotics platform for education and research, offering better computing power, better sensors and a world class user experience at an affordable price point.TurtleBot 4 Lite is equipped with an iRobot Create 3 mobile base, a powerful Raspberry Pi 4 running ROS 2, OAK-D spatial AI stereo camera, 2D LiDAR and more. All components have been seamlessly integrated to deliver an out-of-the-box development and learning platform.Specifications
Base platform
iRobot Create 3
Wheels (Diameter)
72 mm
Ground Clearance
4.5 mm
On-board Computer
Raspberry Pi 4 (4 GB)
Maximum linear velocity
0.31 m/s in safe mode0.46 m/s without safe mode
Maximum angular velocity
1.90 rad/s
Maximum payload
9 kg
Operation time
2h 30m – 4h depending on load
Charging time
2h 30m
Lidar
RPLIDAR A1M8
Camera
OAK-D-Lite
User Power
VBAT @1.9 A5 V @ Low current3.3 V @ Low current
USB Expansion
2x USB 2.0 (Type A)2x USB 3.0 (Type A)
Programmable LEDs
Create 3 Lightring
Buttons and Switches
2x Create 3 User buttons1x Create 3 Power Button
Battery
26 Wh Lithium Ion (14.4 V nominal)
Charging Dock
Included
Size (L x W x H)
342 x 339 x 192 mm
Weight
3.3 kg
DownloadsUser Manual
Multilingual DIY Kit (incl. 27 RGB LEDs + Raspberry Pi Pico)
Bring some engineering magic to your festive season with the Wordy LED Christmas Tree, a unique DIY electronics kit designed by Elektor. This beautifully engineered 3D Christmas tree combines eleven PCBs, a Raspberry Pi Pico, and 27 addressable RGB LEDs to illuminate Christmas greetings in seven languages: Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
Unlike ordinary LED trees, each word inside the tree has its own light chamber, creating a refined, softly glowing display without sound or flicker. The LEDs are fully WS2812-compatible and driven via the popular Adafruit NeoPixel library, making custom animations and color effects easy to create.
Perfect for makers, tinkerers, and festive electronics fans, this kit offers both an enjoyable build and a striking, conversation-worthy decoration. The Wordy Christmas Tree is your perfect holiday maker project!
Features
Multilingual greetings (7 languages) milled into the front panel
3D construction from 11 interlocking PCBs
Powered by Raspberry Pi Pico
27 individually addressable RGB LEDs (pre-mounted)
Smooth fade-in and fade-out animations
Fully programmable using the Arduino IDE
A 5-V power supply (with micro-USB connector) capable of ≥1 A is recommended for maximum brightness (not included)
Dimensions (H x W x D): 130 x 115 x 75 mm
Included
All required PCBs with LEDs and other SMD parts mounted
Raspberry Pi Pico (to be soldered & programmed by the user)
3-way pin header (to be soldered by the user)
3-way pin socket (to be soldered by the user)
4x Self-adhesive dome bumpers
Project Page
Elektor Labs
Program, build, and master over 60 projects with Python
The Raspberry Pi 5 is the latest single-board computer from the Raspberry Pi Foundation. It can be used in many applications, such as in audio and video media centers, as a desktop computer, in industrial controllers, robotics, and in many domestic and commercial applications. In addition to the well-established features found in other Raspberry Pi computers, the Raspberry Pi 5 offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (classic and BLE), which makes it a perfect match for IoT as well as in remote and Internet-based control and monitoring applications. It is now possible to develop many real-time projects such as audio digital signal processing, real-time digital filtering, real-time digital control and monitoring, and many other real-time operations using this tiny powerhouse.
The book starts with an introduction to the Raspberry Pi 5 computer and covers the important topics of accessing the computer locally and remotely. Use of the console language commands as well as accessing and using the desktop GUI are described with working examples. The remaining parts of the book cover many Raspberry Pi 5-based hardware projects using components and devices such as
LEDs and buzzers
LCDs
Ultrasonic sensors
Temperature and atmospheric pressure sensors
The Sense HAT
Camera modules
Example projects are given using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules to send and receive data from smartphones and PCs, and sending real-time temperature and atmospheric pressure data to the cloud.
All projects given in the book have been fully tested for correct operation. Only basic programming and electronics experience are required to follow the projects. Brief descriptions, block diagrams, detailed circuit diagrams, and full Python program listings are given for all projects described.
Program, build, and master over 50 projects with MicroPython and the RP2040 microprocessor The Raspberry Pi Pico is a high-performance microcontroller module designed especially for physical computing. Microcontrollers differ from single-board computers, like the Raspberry Pi 4, in not having an operating system. The Raspberry Pi Pico can be programmed to run a single task very efficiently within real-time control and monitoring applications requiring speed. The ‘Pico’ as we call it, is based on the fast, efficient, and low-cost dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ RP2040 microcontroller chip running at up to 133 MHz and sporting 264 KB of SRAM, and 2 MB of Flash memory. Besides its large memory, the Pico has even more attractive features including a vast number of GPIO pins, and popular interface modules like ADC, SPI, I²C, UART, and PWM. To cap it all, the chip offers fast and accurate timing modules, a hardware debug interface, and an internal temperature sensor. The Raspberry Pi Pico is easily programmed using popular high-level languages such as MicroPython and or C/C++. This book is an introduction to using the Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller in conjunction with the MicroPython programming language. The Thonny development environment (IDE) is used in all the projects described. There are over 50 working and tested projects in the book, covering the following topics: Installing the MicroPython on Raspberry Pi Pico using a Raspberry Pi or a PC Timer interrupts and external interrupts Analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) projects Using the internal temperature sensor and external temperature sensor chips Datalogging projects PWM, UART, I²C, and SPI projects Using Wi-Fi and apps to communicate with smartphones Using Bluetooth and apps to communicate with smartphones Digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) projects All projects given in the book have been fully tested and are working. Only basic programming and electronics experience is required to follow the projects. Brief descriptions, block diagrams, detailed circuit diagrams, and full MicroPython program listings are given for all projects described. Readers can find the program listings on the Elektor web page created to support the book.