Raspberry Pi has expanded its range of microcontroller boards with the release of the Pico 2 W, a wireless-enabled variant of the Pico 2, introduced earlier this year.
Priced at $7, the Pico 2 W features the newly launched RP2350 microcontroller and the wireless modem from the original Pico W, making it an accessible and powerful choice for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
The RP2350 microcontroller, debuting on the Pico 2 in August, builds on the success of Raspberry Pi’s first microcontroller, the RP2040, launched in 2021. The RP2350 offers faster cores, expanded memory, on-chip one-time programmable memory (OTP), enhanced power efficiency, and improved security with Arm’s TrustZone for Cortex-M. These advancements cater to both hobbyists and professionals seeking reliable, high-performance solutions for complex interfacing tasks.
Eben Upton, Raspberry Pi’s Founder, reflected on the journey: “When we launched our debut microcontroller, RP2040, way back in 2021, we couldn’t have imagined the incredible range of products that would be built around it, or the uses that the community would put them to.”
The Pico 2 W is designed to excel in IoT environments, where devices require a blend of local computation, real-world interfacing, and Cloud connectivity. It includes the Infineon CYW43439 modem, offering 2.4GHz 802.11n wireless LAN and Bluetooth 5.2 support. Raspberry Pi also provides comprehensive libraries in C and MicroPython, enabling seamless development for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
The board maintains the breadboard-friendly design of the Pico series, making it suitable for prototyping. Additionally, the upcoming RM2 radio module offers scalability for professional applications, as seen in Pimoroni’s Pico Plus 2 W.
While the Pico 1 series concluded with the popular Pico W, the Pico 2 series is set to continue expanding. Raspberry Pi hinted at additional product launches in early 2025.
