The MakerBit System
The MakerBit board is just a bridge between the digital world of the micro:bit and the physical world of sensors, LEDs, servos, and more.
For "smart car" robotics projects, and advanced experimentation and invention, the MakerBit+R board provides the most versatile and efficient platform for the micro:bit available.
The MakerBit Program can be uploaded to the micro:bit, which then will recognize the 12 touch sensors of the MakerBit board, and turn LEDs on and off without any additional programming.
The micro:bit itself can be programmed with either MicroBlocks (a fantastic block coding environment designed by John Maloney, the original team leader for Scratch at MIT for 12 years, or using MicroSoft's MakeCode block program editor.
With the MakerBit, project building and further experimentation is fun and efficient!
Here is a list of microcontroller boards that use the BBC micro\:bit–style edge connector and are likely to be compatible with the MakerBit or MakerBit+R.
These boards are designed to be mechanically compatible with micro\:bit accessories and breakout boards (via the 80–pin edge connector), and include their own processor to operate independently.
🔷 **BBC micro\:bit Family**
1. **BBC micro\:bit v1**
• MCU: Nordic nRF51822 (Cortex-M0)
• Clock: 16 MHz
• Logic: 3.3V
• USB: Micro-USB
2. **BBC micro\:bit v2**
• MCU: Nordic nRF52833 (Cortex-M4)
• Clock: 64 MHz
• Logic: 3.3V
• USB: Micro-USB
• Features: Built-in mic, speaker, touch logo, Bluetooth 5, more RAM/Flash
🔶 **Calliope Boards**
3. **Calliope mini v1.3**
• MCU: Nordic nRF51822 (Cortex-M0)
• Clock: 16 MHz
• Logic: 3.3V
• USB: Micro-USB
• Features: Piezo buzzer, RGB LED, accelerometer, motor driver
4. **Calliope mini v2**
• MCU: Nordic nRF52833 (Cortex-M4)
• Clock: 64 MHz
• Logic: 3.3V
• USB: Micro-USB
• Features: Bluetooth 5, expanded peripherals
🔷 **DFRobot**
5. **DFRobot UNIHIKER**
• MCU: ESP32 + Cortex-A7 running Linux
• Clock: Up to 1.2 GHz
• Logic: 3.3V
• USB: USB-C
• Features: Touchscreen, onboard sensors, Python shell, edge connector compatibility
🔷 **TinkerGen / Grove Zero**
6. **TinkerGen Grove Zero Edge Board**
• MCU: Nordic nRF52840 (Cortex-M4F)
• Clock: 64 MHz
• Logic: 3.3V
• USB: Micro-USB
• Features: Native support for Grove Zero plug-and-play modules
🔷 **MicroDuino (with Adapter)**
7. **MicroDuino mCookie CoreUSB (with edge connector module)**
• MCU: ATmega32U4
• Clock: 16 MHz
• Logic: 3.3V
• USB: Micro-USB
• Features: Modular stackable system, optional edge connector
🔷 **ESP32 micro:STEAMakers**
8. **ESP32 micro:STEAMakers**
• MCU: ESP32-D0WDQ6 dual-core
• Clock: 240 MHz
• Logic: 3.3V
• USB: Micro-USB
• Features: 7 analog ports, I2C, UART, and SPI interfaces
• MCU: ESP32-S3 Xtensa LX7, Quad-Core ARM Cortex- A35, up to 1.2GHz
• USB: USB Type-C
10. *Foxbit STEM Education ESP32"
• MCU: ESP32-DOWDQ6
• USB: USB Type-C
• Features: Bluetooth, WiFi
11. *Adafruit CLUE - nRF52840 Express"
• MCU: nRF52840
• USB: USB Type-C
• Features: Bluetoothm, TFT display
Disclaimer: It is not practical for us to personally verify each and every board on this list, but we have compiled it to the best of our ability. Before making a purchase of the MakerBit or MakerBit+R to be used in combination with any of these boards, please confirm for yourself the form factor of the board headers and the likelihood of the combination working as desired.