Exclusive launch of crowdfunded CodeBug nano- board

Farnell element14 has announced the launch of CodeBug, a low-cost crowdfunded nano-board designed to teach beginners the fundamentals of programming and electronics in a friendly non-intimidating way. First announced on Kickstarter in March 2015, following three years of development, CodeBug has subsequently raised more than £18,000 in independent funding. Making the leap into mainstream development, CodeBug is now being launched on a global scale with the help of electronics distributor element14. CodeBug defines a new class of microprocessor board that anyone can get results within minutes using just a web browser. The device is programmed in a standard web browser through the innovative companion codebug website with the drag and drop 'Blockly' blocks, eliminating the need for any complicated setup or drivers/software to be installed. The website also provides interactive tutorials and resources to help users learn and improve their programming. For those more experienced users, the device also supports Python, as well as several more advanced programming languages. Designed with beginner audiences in mind, Codebug is easy to use and tremendously versatile as a wearable, sewable, I/O rich, compact, microprocessor board. It features a Microchip 8-bit processor, a 25 LED display, micro-USB connector, 6 crocodile clip rings for easy connection to inputs and outputs and an expansion ports for I2C, SPI and UART. It is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux, as well as other educational coding devices such as the Raspberry Pi. Commenting on the launch, David Shen, group chief technology officer, Premier Farnell, said: “Through its simplistic yet inspired design, CodeBug is opening up electronics to a whole new generation of beginners and young engineers. Having watched this product grow from a seedling idea on a Kickstarter page through to a final solution for customers, we at element14 are very proud to have been selected as the exclusive distributor of this brand in collaboration with our partner Dr. Andrew Robinson. Having already helped the Raspberry Pi and PiFace receive widespread acclaim within the education sector, we’d like to believe that our international distribution network could ultimately help the CodeBug to attain similar levels of success.” Dr Andrew Robinson, inventor of the CodeBug is keen to see it make a worldwide impact - “CodeBug is about bring technological creativity to everyone, even absolute beginners. We couldn't pick a better partner than element14 for furthering computing and electronics education by getting CodeBugs out worldwide," he said. The CodeBug is available from Farnell element14 in Europe.