Raspberry Pi Pico for IoT: Hardware, Programming, and Project Ideas

Introduction to Raspberry Pi Pico

The Raspberry Pi Pico and Pico W represent a new era of affordable, high-performance microcontrollers designed for makers, educators, and IoT enthusiasts. Built around the RP2040 dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ processor, these boards combine power efficiency, flexible GPIOs, and a rich programming ecosystem.

Core Hardware Specifications

Feature	Raspberry Pi Pico	Raspberry Pi Pico W
MCU	RP2040 (Dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+)	RP2040 + Infineon CYW43439 Wi-Fi
Clock Speed	Up to 133 MHz	Up to 133 MHz
SRAM	264 KB	264 KB
Flash Storage	2 MB	2 MB
Wireless	None	2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11n)
GPIO Pins	26	26

Programming the Pico: MicroPython and C++

The Raspberry Pi Pico supports both MicroPython and C/C++ programming environments. Beginners can quickly start using the Thonny IDE for MicroPython, while advanced developers can utilize the C SDK for optimized performance and real-time control.

python

from machine import Pin, PWM
import time

led = PWM(Pin(15))

while True:
    for duty in range(0, 65535, 1000):
        led.duty_u16(duty)
        time.sleep(0.01)
    for duty in range(65535, 0, -1000):
        led.duty_u16(duty)
        time.sleep(0.01)

Example: Fading an LED on Raspberry Pi Pico using MicroPython

Networking and IoT with Pico W

The Pico W introduces Wi-Fi capability, allowing IoT projects to send and receive data over local networks or the Internet. You can easily connect it to MQTT brokers or REST APIs for data transmission and control.

python

import network, urequests

wlan = network.WLAN(network.STA_IF)
wlan.active(True)
wlan.connect(#ce9178;">'YourWiFiSSID', 'YourPassword')

while not wlan.isconnected():
    pass

urequests.get(#ce9178;">'https://api.thingspeak.com/update?api_key=YOUR_KEY&field1=25')

Connecting Raspberry Pi Pico W to Wi-Fi and sending IoT data

Interfacing Sensors and Actuators

The Pico’s 26 GPIO pins make it ideal for connecting sensors (temperature, humidity, light) and actuators (motors, LEDs, relays). Communication protocols like I2C, SPI, and UART are supported natively.

python

from machine import Pin, I2C
i2c = I2C(0, scl=Pin(21), sda=Pin(20))
print(i2c.scan())

Scanning I2C devices using the Raspberry Pi Pico

Practical IoT Project Examples

Here are a few popular IoT projects that can be built using the Raspberry Pi Pico and Pico W:

Smart Plant Watering System – Monitors soil moisture and triggers a water pump.
Wi-Fi Temperature Logger – Sends sensor data to a cloud dashboard.
Home Automation Node – Controls lights or appliances via MQTT.
Bluetooth Gateway – Connects BLE sensors to a central IoT hub.
Mini Weather Station – Displays environmental data on an OLED screen.

Hardware Expansion and Prototyping

The Pico supports expansion through add-on boards like Pico HATs, sensor shields, and breadboard-based prototypes. With its small form factor, it integrates seamlessly into embedded systems and custom PCBs.

Conclusion

The Raspberry Pi Pico and Pico W provide a perfect balance between affordability, performance, and versatility. Whether you are developing IoT prototypes, smart automation systems, or educational projects, the Pico platform offers an excellent foundation for innovation. Its combination of robust hardware and easy-to-learn software makes it a must-have for modern IoT developers.