MicroPython IoT Hackathon, featuring the ESP8266

Abstract:

Due in large part to the availability of cheap, low-power, internet-connected microcontrollers, the Internet of Things is taking off. Python developers can get in on the excitement with MicroPython, an implementation of Python 3 that runs on very small devices with no operating system. MicroPython provides the standard Python REPL (read-eval-print-loop) interface, so you can interactively develop and debug applications on these small devices.

This document provides instructions for a hackathon/class centered around MicroPython. In the class, students will learn some basic electronics, wire up some sensors to a low-power wireless controller board (based on the ESP8266 microcontroller), load the MicroPython firmware, and interactively write simple applications to read from the sensors. It also discusses how to connect to other systems via the MQTT messaging protocol and exchange ideas on larger projects that can be built at home for low cost with beginner-level knowledge.

This was original created for use at a San Francisco Python Project Night meetup. It is designed to be reusable for other classes as well as for individual study.

Contents:

Acknowledgements

The following people have contributed to this repository (listed in chronological order):

  • Jeff Fischer
  • Simeon Franklin
  • Eric Theise
  • Daniel Mizyrycki

We thank all the contributers for their help! Thank you also to those who have participated in or facilitated past IoT Hackathons.

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