The pocket sized codeable computer is intended to let young people get creative with technology, with the aim of helping to develop a new generation of digital pioneers.
Tony Hall, BBC Director-General, said: “This is a very special moment for us, our partners and – most importantly – for young people across the country. The BBC micro:bit has the potential to be a seminal piece of British innovation, helping this generation to be the coders, programmers and digital pioneers of the future. Only the BBC could attempt a project this ambitious, on such a large scale, and I’m thrilled we've persuaded so many people to get behind this and make it happen.”
The initiative – which builds on the legacy of the 1980s BBC Micro – required a partnership between the BBC and 31 organisations, including ARM, element14, Nordic Semiconductor, NXP Semiconductors and Samsung.
ARM’s CEO Simon Segars said: “The BBC Micro started me on my journey towards a career in technology and the BBC micro:bit can have the same effect on children receiving their devices from today. I can easily imagine a new wave of design entrepreneurs looking back and citing today as the day their passion for technology began.”
Rick Clemmer, NXP’s CEO, added: “Everyone involved in the BBC micro:bits initiative is truly stimulating innovation, motivating the next generation of technologists, scientists and entrepreneurs in their pursuit of a better future.”
