LittleBits

Image

LittleBits

Imagine if you could create a flashlight as easily as stacking blocks? LittleBits can easily make that happen!

Little Bits is a integrated, flexible and à la carte electronics prototyping platform that can be used by people of all skill levels. It’s like building with LEGO blocks, except what you build with LittleBits actually works! You can build real-world electronics with its block-based potential and make “making” much more comprehensible.

LittleBits is different from other such DIY electronics kits because it houses each piece of a circuit or “element” inside its electronic “building block” known as a “module.” Each module is an interconnecting block that can be snapped firmly into place with the adjacent modules by using its conductive, magnetic connection, like that of a MacBook power cord. So, you don’t need to breadboard, solder, or wire these circuit, and instead just assemble them together like a model or puzzle.

littlebits

What does LittleBits do?

Each littleBits circuit features a 9-volt battery that is connected to a power module, which can be attached with the next circuit. It can be a switch, servo, light-emitting diode (LED), motor, fan or sensor.

The wire modules will allow users to create flexible circuits that can fit inside larger projects, such as robots. Branch modules on the other hand will let you to build in numerous directions all at one time. Each element has a color-coded marker to differentiate them by type. This allows new users to quickly and easily differentiate between a circuit’s inputs, outputs, power source and wires.

LittleBits has a number of different kits to choose from, and each kit features a set of modules that can be joined to build numerous circuits and projects – build a flashlight with one, or an electronic robot with another! Using well-illustrated instructions, each DIY project can be easily created and will require common products like glue, cardboard, scissors and disposable cups.

The Base Kit ($99) and the Premium Kit ($149) are two of the most commonly used kits by LittleBits, and these 2 can also be bough together bundled as a ‘Student Set’ ($274) along with additional power modules. 18 kits in all, each has an assortment of different modules in the package. For instance, the Base Kit has components like a dimmer, light sensor, button and buzzer, while the Premium Kit has a sound trigger, fan, vibration motor and servo.

LittleBits come in a sturdy and secure packaging that is easy to store. There’s sufficient space inside to allow each module to have its own custom-made, cardboard pocket, making organization very simple. The kits look attractive and fun, and all its bits and pieces are manageable.

littlebits arduino coding kit components

Who can use LittleBits?

Each LittleBits kit is designed very carefully, with much thought put into its engineering. It can be used by beginners of all ages (8 and up) to build circuits within minutes. The illustrated projects are slightly more time consuming than the single circuits ones, but they are still not too complex to understand, making them great to use in events, classrooms and workshops. The Base Kit and the Premium Kit specially are much more comprehensible, dependable and fun to start with.

LittleBits also has a big user community and their website features many user submitted projects, educational resources, and a “bitLab” that is like “an app store for hardware.” Users can also submit their ideas, and kits with a lot of community support even go into production. When sold, the profits are divided between the company and a new kit’s designer.

While there are other such electronic DIY projects available, LittleBits differentiates themselves from the rest by highlighting their out-of-the-box approachability and by putting emphasis on formal educational spaces. This makes their Student Set a sensible investment for schools that want to provide their students with practical STEAM projects without the issues of learning building and programing of circuits together, so children can learn about the interrelationship of elements and modules.

littlebits project ideas

Conclusion

Even without the use of “pure” coding, LittleBits is a great prototyping platform because it lets users visualize a project without you even having to think about coding it. It lets you think of yourself as an engineer even before you ever have figure out the components of a breadboard and worry about the slightest error code in the console!