What's new in a $5 single board computer?

Imagine a miniature computer that fits in the palm of your hand. It costs as much as a movie ticket and can do amazing things, from controlling home appliances to teaching schoolchildren how to code. The Raspberry Pi Foundation has unveiled an updated version of its popular $5 Raspberry Pi Pico single-board computer, now with support for the RISC-V architecture.

Major changes

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The previous version of the single-board computer was released in 2021 and cost $4. It was based on an ARM processor. The new Pi Pico 2 has a hybrid chip that combines ARM Cortex-M33 and RISC-V Hazard3 cores – two different architectures. ARM has long established itself in the world of mobile and embedded devices, and RISC-V is rapidly gaining popularity due to its openness and flexibility.

The Raspberry Pi Pico 2 also has a higher processor clock speed of 150 MHz versus 133 MHz for the Pi Pico version. The RAM has also been increased to 520 KB versus 264 KB for the base computer. These changes provide a significant performance boost, especially in multitasking applications.

Technical specifications

CPU. The Raspberry Pi Pico 2 features the latest RP2350 microcontroller, which combines two ARM Cortex-M33 and two RISC-V Hazard3. The hybrid approach optimizes the single-board computer for different tasks, which is especially useful for IoT projects.
RAM. An increase in RAM to 520 KB is one of the key improvements in the Pi Pico 2, allowing it to handle more complex operations and support a wider range of applications.
Safety. An important innovation is the introduction of ARM TrustZone technology, which ensures secure code execution and isolates critical tasks in a separate environment. In addition, the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 is equipped with a secure bootloader that prevents unauthorized software from running and supports cryptographic functions for data encryption and authentication.
Flash memory. The new Pico 2 has increased flash memory capacity from 2 to 4 MB.
GPIO ports (General-Purpose Input/Output). The Raspberry Pi Pico 2 board contains 26 of the 30 GPIO pins supported by the microcontroller, which are used to connect peripherals such as sensors, LEDs, buttons, etc. The ports support a wide range of I/O protocols, including I2C, SPI, and UART.
Energy consumption. At full load, the Raspberry Pi Pico 2's power consumption is approximately 30-40mA at 3.3V. In deep sleep mode, when most components are turned off to minimize power consumption, the device consumes less than 1µA.

Temperature range. The single-board computer can operate at temperatures from -40 to +85°C. The built-in temperature sensor allows you to measure the ambient temperature.
Debugging interface. Pico 2 supports the SWD (Serial Wire Debug) interface, making debugging and software development easier.
Wireless communication modules. The lack of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi allowed the manufacturer to significantly reduce the cost of the device. But this makes the gadget less suitable for projects that require a network connection. But do not worry – Pico 2 W with a wireless module may be released soon.
Supported programming languages. Despite the hardware updates, support for new programming languages has not been added. But that's okay, because the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 is compatible with MicroPython, CircuitPython, C, and C++.
Power and connection. Power parameters also remained unchanged. Pi Pico 2 is powered by 1.8-5 V supplied via microUSB or VSYS. The developers did not switch to the modern USB-C and retained compatibility with existing accessories and peripherals.
Form factor and design. The board's dimensions remain unchanged at 51×21 mm, making it even smaller than modern M.2 2280 SSDs used in desktop PCs and laptops.

Application and possibilities

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Thanks to its compact size and low power consumption, the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 is suitable for Internet of Things (IoT) projects, such as smart home control or environmental monitoring. For educational purposes, it can be used to teach the basics of programming and electronics.

Pico 2 will be in demand in automation as a controller for various devices – from simple home systems to industrial solutions. The gadget's capabilities will allow engineers and developers to quickly develop and test prototypes of new solutions. In addition, Pico 2 is popular among enthusiasts and DIY project lovers, where it can be used in a variety of areas – from creating robotic devices to personal assistants. It also finds application in scientific and experimental projects where a compact solution for data collection or process control is required.

Competitors in the market and prospects

In the single-board computer market, the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 has some competitors, including the Arduino Nano 33 IoT and the Espressif ESP32. The Arduino Nano 33 IoT, for example, costs around $18 but offers built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, making it attractive for projects that require wireless connectivity. Meanwhile, there’s the Espressif ESP32, which costs around $6-7. It also includes wireless modules and has a lot of support from the developer community. However, the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 stands out due to its support for the upcoming RISC-V architecture, which opens up new possibilities for developers.

These features highlight the competitiveness of the single-board computer market, which was valued at over $1.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10% through 2032, driven by growing demand for IoT-enabled devices and the continued miniaturization of technology.

Given recent trends, we can expect the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 to be a popular choice for IoT and educational projects. Given the existence of the Raspberry Pi Pico W, which launched at $6 and had built-in Wi-Fi, we can expect a Pi Pico 2W version to be released soon. It will likely cost around $7 and include wireless support.