The PICAXE range of processors were developed in the United Kingdom (with Oil & Gas funding) by Bath firm Revolution Education Ltd. These pre-programmed, interpreter devices are extremely cheap and only have a few limitations.

All PICAXE processors are programmed using a language which is a variant of BASIC. The software to do this is available for free. Make sure you download the latest version which now includes a 4 channel data plotter!

The Programming Editor is available for Mac OSX as well as Windows and supports not just PICAXE programming, but also Basic Stamp programming, native PIC Assembly Language programming, and has the ability to program blank PIC chips.

Apart from the BASIC commands, the Programming Editor allows programs to be entered as flowcharts. The Editor also permits you to simulate how your programme will operate, a great time saving feature.

An old mouse serial lead with a DB9 plug can be made into a programming lead as shown below:

A 3 x AA battery box with switch is a safe and tidy way to ensure that the batteries cannot be connected the wrong way around in a circuit. We are prototyping on Wishboard then use Veroboard (& 8-pin IC sockets) for finished circuits.

PICAXE 08M pin configuration

 

PICAXE kits for Mathematics, Science or Art Electronics for Science, Maths, Art and Physical Education: Year 9 to Year 13 introductory PICAXE manual with simple circuits to make and example PICAXE codes.

 

---

Example projects and circuit ideas

We have a number of PICAXE projects tested by Year 12 and Year 13 Physics students at Inglewood High School. The PICAXE can act as a data logger, transmit data through students (skin is slightly conductive), provide motor control for small robots and do heaps more!

Below are some of the projects...

The ultimate games and electronics link RIGEL at Inglewood High School

Black Box data-logger - Add a sensor to this mobile PICAXE to record data anywhere, then download to your PC (with code)

Lunar Lander - use nothing but air to steer a spaceship to safety

Laser Wars! - Play a combat game in broad daylight instead of in the dark! See the Terminator!

Bike Indicator - A Primary School student puts a PICAXE on her bike (with code)

Mighty Mouse - uses LDR's to either run away from light or move toward light. You can even get him/her to follow a line drawn on the floor or desk! (with code)

The Professors electronic ear - a classroom noise level alarm; a must for all teachers!

Connect to a virtual reality - use Game Maker to create a flight simulator

Build robots - big and small

Puke Ariki Main Gallery exhibition - February 2009

Michael Fenton, Andrew Hornblow and others helped artist Ian Clothier design a PICAXE robotic system to create an interactive analogue/digital art work for the 'Fresh out of the box' exhibition at Puke Ariki. photo: Bryan James "A special collection of Taranaki treasures, and new artworks reflecting the culture of Taranaki. Fifteen artists, each with a link to the region, have responded to various objects in the exhibition and produced new work in various media which launches the exhibition into both an art and objects realm." Ian Clothier: "My first digital media project to directly aim for creating an integrated system, albeit small scale. It utilises autonomous robotic cars and feedback, the interaction of which leads to a continually changing output: word lists. The word lists are then searched for sequences of words that make poetry."