This Friday, we have a look again on 2024 to see the very best merchandise, movies, blogs, and extra!
As one other yr involves an in depth, we at SparkFun can not help however look again in any respect we have achieved in 2024. From groundbreaking new merchandise that pushed the boundaries of what is attainable, to insightful tutorials and fascinating movies that empowered makers of all ranges, 2024 has been a yr of development, studying, and shared ardour for electronics.
On this week’s “Look Again at 2024” submit, we’re taking a second to have a good time the highlights. Be part of us as we revisit our hottest product releases, delve into the weblog posts and tutorials that sparked essentially the most curiosity, and relive the fascinating moments captured in our movies. Whether or not you are a seasoned engineer, a curious newbie, or just somebody who appreciates the magic of electronics, we invite you to reminisce with us and uncover one thing new alongside the way in which.
2024’s High Merchandise
SparkFun RTK mosaic-X5
GPS-23748
SparkFun RTK Torch
GPS-25662
PINECIL Soldering Iron Equipment
KIT-24063
This yr noticed the discharge of some actually distinctive instruments for makers, engineers, and robotics lovers. Main the pack was the SparkFun RTK Torch and the SparkFun RTK mosaic-X5, a dynamic duo that introduced high-precision GPS inside attain of on a regular basis initiatives. The RTK Torch, with its easy-to-use interface and centimeter-level accuracy, proved invaluable for navigation, surveying, and even autonomous car growth. In the meantime, the RTK mosaic-X5 supplied a strong, compact answer for integrating RTK capabilities for base station designs. These merchandise redefined what’s attainable with inexpensive, accessible GPS/GNSS know-how.
However we did not cease there! The SparkFun Optical Monitoring Odometry Sensor – PAA5160E1 (Qwiic) opened up a world of prospects for robotics and movement monitoring with its potential to precisely measure displacement and velocity. This tiny sensor, simply built-in with its Qwiic compatibility, allowed for exact navigation in robots and detailed movement detection in interactive initiatives. For these all for exploring the world of robotics training and analysis, the Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP) – DIY Equipment proved to be a robust possibility for XRP customers, offering a hands-on studying expertise for constructing and programming robots. Mobile connectivity turned extra accessible than ever with the SparkFun Digi XBee® Mobile Equipment, simplifying the method of including mobile communication to initiatives for distant monitoring, knowledge logging, and IoT purposes. And let’s not overlook the SparkFun GNSS L1/L5 Breakout – NEO-F10N, SMA, which supplied a flexible and high-performance answer for integrating GNSS capabilities into varied initiatives. For these looking for superior sensing capabilities, the SparkFun Pulsed Coherent Radar Sensor – Acconeer XM125 (Qwiic) supplied a strong device for detecting objects, measuring distances, and even monitoring human important indicators. Final however definitely not least, the PINECIL Soldering Iron Equipment outfitted makers with a dependable and inexpensive soldering answer for bringing their digital creations to life.
2024’s High Blogs
This yr, our weblog was stuffed with insightful articles, useful tutorials, and thought-provoking explorations of know-how. From sensible guides to in-depth analyses, we coated a variety of subjects that we hoped would resonate with you.
One of many highlights was a sequence of articles targeted on enhancing on a regular basis initiatives. “Elevating your Buzzer Initiatives to the Subsequent Stage” supplied makers with artistic strategies and coding tricks to rework easy buzzers into subtle sound turbines. We additionally delved into the world of sensor know-how with articles like “LiDAR, Radar, and PCR: What’s The Distinction?“, which demystified these highly effective sensing modalities and explored their distinctive purposes. We went just a little tongue and cheek with “ENGINEERS HATE HIM: LOCAL MAN DISCOVERS 5 TECH SECRETS THEY DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW“, which supplied a lighthearted take a look at some widespread engineering misconceptions. Our weblog additionally served as a platform for sharing beneficial insights from trade occasions, as seen within the “Rocky Mountain RepRap Recap“, which supplied a glimpse into the thrilling world of 3D printing and open-source {hardware} native to SparkFun HQ. We even explored the potential of synthetic intelligence with “Can ChatGPT Efficiently Develop a SparkFun Product?“, a thought-provoking experiment that examined the function of AI within the artistic course of. Past the technical realm, we celebrated the return of in-person interactions with “Native Pickup At SparkFun HQ Is Again!“, a heartwarming announcement that reconnected us with our local people. And for these wanting to discover the world of knowledge logging and IoT, “SparkFun DataLogger: The Best Method to Log and Push Knowledge to Your Favourite IoT Platform” supplied a complete information to our user-friendly knowledge logging options. Lastly, “Carbon Dioxide Sensing: PAS vs NDIR vs TVOC” weblog supplied a deep dive into the assorted applied sciences used for measuring CO2 ranges.
2024’s High Tutorials
Learn how to Play A number of Buzzers at As soon as
This tutorial demonstrates the SparkFun Qwiic Buzzer’s potential to regulate a number of buzzers concurrently by taking part in a 3-part association of a section of the Tremendous Mario Bros Theme!
Calibrating Your Odometry Sensor
On this tutorial, we’ll cowl the best way to calibrate your Qwiic Optical Monitoring Odometry Sensor (or “OTOS”) with Arduino and Python Examples.
Our tutorial part this yr was a treasure trove of data, guiding makers by thrilling initiatives and equipping them with beneficial abilities. From harnessing the facility of Odometry sensors for exact movement monitoring in “Calibrating Your Odometry Sensor” to unlocking the artistic potential of alphanumeric shows in “Transferring Past the Abnormal With the Qwiic Alphanumeric Show“, we helped to empower you to push the boundaries of your initiatives. We delved into the intricacies of sensor fusion with “IMU Knowledge to Movement: Tutorial for Translating Sensor Knowledge into Actual-World Motion“, serving to makers bridge the hole between uncooked sensor knowledge and significant movement management. For these looking for so as to add a contact of auditory aptitude to their creations, “Learn how to Play A number of Buzzers at As soon as” supplied the instruments and strategies to orchestrate a symphony of sounds. We took a take a look at the colourful world of shade sensing with “Detecting Colours with the SparkFun Tristimulus Shade Sensor“, enabling makers to construct initiatives that reply to the nuances of sunshine and shade. “How To Take A number of RFID Readings Concurrently” unlocked the potential of RFID know-how for superior monitoring and identification purposes. For these with a thirst for journey, “GeoFence Treasure Hunt With Artemis World Tracker” mixed the fun of a treasure hunt with the precision of GPS know-how. And eventually, “Show Distance Measurements On an OLED” supplied a sensible information to visualizing sensor knowledge on smooth and compact OLED shows.
2024’s High Movies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries
Our movies this yr had been additionally full of thrilling product showcases! Do not miss our deep dives into the Optical Monitoring and Odometry Sensor, the Professional Micro 2350, the RTK EVK, the RTK Torch, and the RTK mosaic-X5. We even assembled a playlist so that you can examine all of them out!
That is it for this week and 2024. As at all times, we won’t wait to see what you make! Shoot us a tweet @sparkfun, or tell us on Instagram, Fb or LinkedIn. Please be secure on the market, be type to 1 one other! Comfortable New 12 months from all of us right here at SparkFun Electronics!
By no means miss a brand new product!
