Python

Python is a programming language that lets you write code quickly and effectively. With a design philosophy that focuses on code readability, Python is easy to learn and use. Thanks to the advances in single board computers and powerful microcontrollers, Python can now be used to control hardware. Check out some of the tutorials below to get started graphing, charting and GUI design in Python.
Introduction to the Raspberry Pi GPIO and Physical Computing
January 20, 2021
This tutorial will teach you how to set up your Raspberry Pi as a full desktop computer and read in sensor data through the GPIO using SparkFun hardware.
SparkFun Qwiic 3-Axis Accelerometer (ADXL313) Hookup Guide
November 5, 2020
Let's get moving with the SparkFun Triple Axis Digital Accelerometer Breakout - ADXL313 (Qwiic), a low cost, low power, up to 13-bit resolution, 3-axis accelerometer with a 32-level FIFO stack capable of measuring up to ±4g. This hookup guide will get users started reading measurements from the ADXL313, by Analog Devices, with an Arduino microcontroller, Jetson Nano, or Raspberry Pi.
SparkFun Qwiic GPIO Hookup Guide
October 8, 2020
Add up to 8 extra I/O pins to your microcontroller with the SparkFun Qwiic GPIO. Get started with the Qwiic GPIO in this Hookup Guide.
SparkFun Qwiic Dual Solid State Relay Hookup Guide
September 24, 2020
A Hookup Guide to get you started with the SparkFun Qwiic Dual Solid State Relay.
Jetson Nano + Sphero RVR Mash-up (PART 2)
July 29, 2020
We took two of our biggest robotics partnerships from the previous year and shazamed them together into one robot to rule them all!
SparkFun Qwiic Quad Solid State Relay Kit Hookup Guide
July 16, 2020
A Hookup Guide to get you started with the SparkFun Qwiic Quad Solid State Relay Kit (say that five times fast!).
SparkFun GPS-RTK Dead Reckoning ZED-F9R Hookup Guide
July 9, 2020
The u-blox ZED-F9R is a powerful GPS-RTK unit that uses a fusion of IMU, wheel ticks, a vehicle dynamics model, correction data, and GNSS measurements to provide highly accurate and continuous position for navigation in the difficult conditions. We will quickly get you set up using the Qwiic ecosystem through Arduino and Python so that you can start reading the output!
SparkFun Photodetector (MAX30101) Hookup Guide
June 25, 2020
The SparkFun Photodetector - MAX30101 (Qwiic) is the successor to the MAX30105 particle sensor, a highly sensitive optical sensor. This tutorial will get you started on retrieving the raw data from the MAX30101 sensor.
Jetson Nano + Sphero RVR Mash-up (PART 1)
April 23, 2020
We took two of our biggest robotics partnerships from the previous year and shazamed them together into one robot to rule them all!
Working with Qwiic on a Jetson Nano through Jupyter Notebooks
April 23, 2020
We created a few Jupyter Notebooks to make using our Qwiic boards with your Jetson Nano even easier!
Raspberry Pi Safe Reboot and Shutdown Button
April 20, 2020
Safely reboot or shutdown your Raspberry Pi to avoid corrupting the microSD card using the built-in general purpose button on the Qwiic pHAT v2.0!
SparkFun Auto pHAT Hookup Guide
April 16, 2020
The pHAT to get your projects moving. This guide will help you get started using the Auto pHAT.
SparkFun Top pHAT Hookup Guide
April 16, 2020
The pHAT to sit above your other HATs. Does that make it the "king" of the pHATs?
This guide will help you get started using the Top pHAT with the Raspberry Pi.
Assembly Guide for SparkFun JetBot AI Kit V2.0
March 27, 2020
Assembly Guide for the SparkFun JetBot AI Kit v2.0. This tutorial includes photos & comments to assemble the two-layer chassis & additional components unique to the JetBot kit.
Basic Servo Control for Beginners
February 25, 2020
An introductory tutorial demonstrating several ways to use and interact with servo motors!
Getting Started with the Autonomous Kit for the Sphero RVR
December 13, 2019
Want to get started in robotics? Look no further than the SparkFun autonomous kit for the Sphero RVR! Whether you purchased the Basic or Advanced kit, this tutorial will get you rolling...
Qwiic SHIM for Raspberry Pi Hookup Guide
December 5, 2019
Ever wanted to prototype I2C components on a Pi? Now you can!
SparkFun Qwiic Micro (SAMD21E) Hookup Guide
October 24, 2019
An introduction to the Qwiic Micro SAMD21E. Level up your Arduino-skills with the powerful SAMD21 ARM Cortex M0+ processor!
Qwiic Atmospheric Sensor (BME280) Hookup Guide
August 21, 2019
Measure temperature, humidity, barometric pressure with the SparkFun Atmospheric Sensor Breakout BME280 (Qwiic).
Assembly Guide for SparkFun JetBot AI Kit
August 13, 2019
Assembly Guide for the SparkFun JetBot AI Kit. This tutorial includes photos & comments to assemble the two-layer chassis & additional components unique to the JetBot kit.
Pi Servo pHAT (v2) Hookup Guide
July 11, 2019
This hookup guide will get you started with connecting and using the Pi Servo pHAT on a Raspberry Pi.
Qwiic Kit for Raspberry Pi Hookup Guide
July 4, 2019
Get started with the CCS811, BME280, VCNL4040, and microOLED via I2C using the Qwiic system and Python on a Raspberry Pi! Take sensor readings from the environment and display them on the microOLED, serial terminal, or the cloud with Cayenne!
TPL5110 Nano Power Timer Hookup Guide
June 6, 2019
The TPL5110 Nano Power Timer is ideal for applications that require low power, and especially those projects that are running off of a LiPo battery. The Nano Power Timer will turn on your project after the set amount of time, continuously.
SAMD51 Thing Plus Hookup Guide
May 24, 2019
This tutorial covers the basic functionality of the SAMD51 Thing Plus and highlights the features of the new ARM Cortex-M4F development board.
Old Tutorials
Looking for the old, archived tutorials? Head on over to the
archived tutorials on the main
SparkFun site.
Please be aware that the tutorials you find there are no longer
actively maintained.