NEVER CODE

Control LEDs with a Raspberry Pi Pico W and Arduino Uno via UART If you’ve ever wanted to make two microcontrollers talk to each other, this project is a perfect starting point! In this beginner-friendly guide, I’ll show you how to connect a Raspberry Pi Pico W to an Arduino Uno using UART (serial communication) to control LEDs with button presses. Press a red button on the Pico, and a red LED lights up on the Arduino—same for blue and green. It’s simple, fun, and a great way to dip your toes into microcontroller communication. Since you’ve already got MicroPython installed on your Pico W and have some basic experience, we’ll jump right into the setup. I’ll walk you through the wiring, share the code, and explain how UART works—plus why the Pico’s 3.3V signals play nice with the Arduino’s 5V expectations. Let’s get started! What You’ll Need Raspberry Pi Pico W (with MicroPython installed) Arduino Uno 3 Push Buttons (momentary switches) 3 LEDs (red, blue, green) ...

LaunchPico v0.95: A Rocket-Themed Launcher for Your Pi Pico Say hello to LaunchPico v0.95, a custom launcher I built for the Raspberry Pi Pico W using MicroPython! If you’ve got a Pico W, a small LCD, and a few buttons, this project turns your microcontroller into a program-launching hub with a fun rocket ship vibe. It’s perfect for beginners who’ve flashed MicroPython and want to level up. Let’s break it down! What Is LaunchPico? LaunchPico v0.95 is like a mini menu system for your Pico W. When you power it on, it boots to a 16x2 LCD showing "LaunchPico v0.95," then loads a list of programs you can scroll through and run with buttons. Here’s how it works under the hood: Startup: The LCD flashes "LaunchPico v0.95" for 3 seconds, then shows "R:Up B:Dn G:GO!" with "Press Green" below it. This is your entry point—press Green (GP14) to jump into the menu. File Scanning: LaunchPico searches the Pico W’s root directory (/) for .py files....

Build Your Own YouTube Subscriber Counter with a Raspberry Pi Pico W Posted on February 25, 2025 by Never Code Hey there, tech tinkerers! Want to make a cool gadget that shows off your YouTube subscriber count in real-time, complete with a little celebratory jingle when you gain a fan and a sad tune when you lose one? You’re in the right place! This project uses a Raspberry Pi Pico W, a small LCD screen, and a buzzer to create a fun desktop counter. Don’t worry if you’re new to this—I'll guide you step-by-step, and by the end, you’ll have something awesome to show off. Here’s what we’re building: a device that checks your YouTube subscriber count every 8 seconds, displays your channel name and count on a 1602 LCD, and plays a tune on a piezo buzzer when your numbers change. Let’s dive in! What You’ll Need Raspberry Pi Pico W ($6–$10): The Wi-Fi-enabled version of the Pico. (The regular Pico won’t work here—it n...