- Raspberry Pi Pico 2W is a $7 wireless microcontroller
- Designed for IoT projects; Aimed at amateurs and professionals
- Unofficial MicroPython build available now; official support coming soon
The Raspberry Pi Foundation launched the Pico 2 W, a wireless successor to the $5 Pico 2 that went on sale just a couple of months ago. Priced $2 more, the Pico 2 W is built around the RP2350 microcontroller and includes the same wireless modem as the original Pico W.
The RP2350 microcontroller builds on the legacy of the RP2040, first introduced in 2021. It offers faster cores, more memory, floating point support, optimized power consumption, and improved security through Arm's TrustZone for Cortex-M.
For wireless functionality, the Pico 2 W is equipped with the CYW43439 modem, which provides 2.4 GHz 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. The microcontroller supports programming via C and MicroPython libraries, offering flexibility for enthusiasts and engineers alike.
More to come
Eben Upton, co-founder of Raspberry Pi, said: “Many of the projects and products that people build on our platforms, whether our Linux-capable Raspberry Pi computers, our microcontroller boards or our silicon products, fit the description. general “Internet of Things”. They combine local computing, storage and interface with the real world with connectivity to the cloud.”
The Raspberry Pi Pico 2W, with its low price and strong capabilities, is an attractive option for hobbyists and professionals working on IoT projects such as smart home hubs, environmental monitoring systems and wireless weather stations, but Upton hints that this is just the beginning. .
“We are very pleased with the outcome of the Pico 2 W. And, where the Pico 1 series ended with the Pico W, we have a few more ideas in mind for the Pico 2 series. Stay tuned for more news in early 2025,” he said.
The Pico 2 W is now available for purchase, and for those eager to start experimenting, an unofficial MicroPython build for the new board is now available, with official support expected soon.