Today I had the honour of attending the official launch of the BBC micro:bit at the London Stock Exchange.

The micro:bit is a small, programmable device equipped with buttons, an LED display, an edge connector, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, an internal temperature sensor and (saving the best until last) Bluetooth® with low energy functionality.

The BBC’s Howard Baker conceived the micro:bit some years ago in response to UK government reports flagging that school kids were lagging behind in their coding skills. He and colleagues assembled a crack team of partners, including the Bluetooth SIG. The micro:bit, through remarkable levels of teamwork between companies and good old fashioned hard work, today became a reality.

One million 11- and 12-year-old British school children will begin receiving their micro:bits today.

As a self-contained computer, the micro:bit offers the perfect way to learn how to code, especially with the fabulous code editing tools developed by Microsoft and Code Kingdoms. But Bluetooth makes it far more than that. It’s a connected device and the ideal vehicle for acquiring the technical skills needed in this emerging age of the Internet of Things.

The Bluetooth SIG designed a custom profile specifically for the micro:bit and Lancaster University implemented it in firmware using a Nordic Semiconductor nRF51 Bluetooth stack.

The buzz at today’s event was palpable. micro:bit has been a labour of love for everyone involved in any capacity. But today is really day one. What happens next is up to the teachers, parents and above all, those bright and enthusiastic youngsters.

I’m really looking forward to seeing what micro:bit, British school children and Bluetooth can do together.

(Credit: Martin Woolley)