Five Wearable Projects with micro:bit

The micro:bit's small size makes it a great candidate for exploring wearable technology projects and ideas. Here are a few projects we've found that use the micro:bit for costumes, fitness tracking, and more.

DIY Wristband

Photo via microbit.co.uk

Learn how to make a wearable cuff to hold a micro:bit from scrap jeans and t-shirt fabric in this step-by-step tutorial. The micro:bit can then be used as a fitness tracker, watch or other wrist-based applications.

Baseball Pitch Counter

Photo via microbit.hackster.io

Take the micro:bit out on the field with this wristband that utilizes the board's built-in accelerometer to gather data on the wearer's arm movement. This project also pairs two micro:bits - the pitcher's board sends data to the coach's board to track number of pitches.

Egg Catcher - Pokemon Go Style

Inspired by the game Pokemon Go, in which players have to walk around for a certain distance to hatch virtual Pokemon eggs, this project from Tech Age Kids uses the micro:bit's accelerometer to create a step counter with a reward - reach the set amount of steps and an egg animation displays on the board's LED array.

Electro Fingers

Photo via Tech Will Save Us

This project from Tech Will Save Us combines the micro:bit and conductive fabric and thread to make a glove-based dexterity game. Place objects on a plate covered with aluminum foil and try to pick them up without touching the metal in the gloves to the surface, which makes a buzzer sound.

Super Cape

Over on SparkFun's Inventorspace, learn to craft a custom light-up cape using the micro:bit and sewable LEDs such as the LilyPad Pixel Board and conductive thread. Get creative designing the superhero logo in addition to the circuit layout for the LEDs.