When you hear “Python” you probably think of machine learning, data analysis, automation (testing, system administration), backend programming, or web development. But Python isn’t just about software - it’s about hardware too!

In this session, I’ll show you how Python can step into the territory traditionally ruled by low-level programming languages like C. Using MicroPython, we’ll build and program an RC car and its joystick controller. And guess what? You won’t need a $50-100 single-board PC for this. Instead, we’ll rely on an affordable microcontroller that costs just a few dollars - perfectly capable of getting the job done.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Hardware First:
We’ll dive into the nuts and bolts of our RC car and joystick setup, including a walkthrough of the custom PCBs we designed.

What’s a Microcontroller?
Learn the basics of what microcontrollers are and how they’re programmed.

Getting Started with MicroPython:
We’ll see how to flash MicroPython onto a microcontroller and explore its built-in capabilities.

Code in Action:
We’ll dive deeper into the MicroPython-based implementation of the RC car and joystick

Performance Trade-offs:
We’ll compare MicroPython’s performance to bare-metal programming and discuss what you gain and lose.

The Grand Finale:
Finally, we’ll power up the car and watch it in action!

If you’ve ever wondered how Python can bring your hardware ideas to life, this talk is for you. Join me as we bridge the gap between code and circuits, proving that Python is as versatile as it is powerful!