Microsoft's IoT Grove Kit is the company's latest solution for making Raspberry Pi gadget development easier. The kit comes with numerous components that Microsoft thinks are must-haves for creating devices from the mini computer.
The IoT Grove Kit comes with actuators, an RGB LED bar, and connector cables. Also included is a 5.-inch HDMI touchscreen panel, and sensors for lights, weather, and sound. The idea is that consumers can get these components in one kit instead of sourcing them individually.
However, if you are developing an IoT device, the Grove Kit is certainly not a one stop shop. For a start, it lacks the actual Raspberry Pi board ($35) or servos for all those creating robots. Below is a full list of what is included in the kit:
This kit includes the following,
- 1x GrovePi+
- 1x 5 Inch HDMI Display with USB TouchScreen
- 1x Grove – Relay
- 1x Grove – Temp&Humi Sensor
- 1x Grove – Ultrasonic Ranger
- 1x Grove – LED Bar v2.0
- 1x Grove – Rotary Angle Sensor(P)
- 1x Grove – Buzzer
- 1x Grove – Sound Sensor
- 1x Grove – Light Sensor v1.2
- 1x Grove – Button
- 1x Grove – LCD RGB Backlight
- 1x Flat HDMI Male to Male Cable (1M)
- 1x Micro USB Cable (1200px)
- 10x 26AWG Grove Cable
Windows 10 Everywhere
Microsoft announced the IoT Grove Kit at Build 2016 earlier in the year. The company said the kit is for developers who may not have high skills in programming and hardware creation. With the kit, it will be easier to piece together a basic device, even for a novice.
The end goal for Microsoft is to spread Windows 10 to as many devices and form factors as possible. Back in April, the company released Windows 10 IoT Core. The 64-bit (x64) Windows 10 IoT Core Pro allows users to easily move between IoT Core and IoT Enterprise without separate firmware images.
The new Grove Kit cots $154.99 and is available form Digi-Key and Seeed Studios.