Kindly Morrow
RP2040 Dual-Core Dev Board - Raspberry Pi Pico Compatible
Two cores, two jobs, zero compromises. The RP2040 runs dual ARM Cortex-M0+ cores at up to 133MHz each, letting you poll sensors on core 0 while handling comms on core 1 simultaneously. At $11.99, this is the board you actually reach for when a project gets serious.
The 264KB SRAM is split across six independent banks, which means both cores can access memory in parallel without bus contention. Flash it with MicroPython, CircuitPython, or Arduino IDE depending on your stack. Pinout matches the Raspberry Pi Pico exactly, so existing breakout boards, HATs, and wiring diagrams drop straight in.
Things to build with this
- USB HID game controller where core 0 scans button inputs at sub-millisecond intervals using GPIO interrupts while core 1 drives an LRA haptic motor over PWM for independent feedback patterns, with both tasks running via _thread in MicroPython
- Multi-sensor data logger that reads four analog inputs simultaneously on core 0 using the RP2040's round-robin ADC mode while core 1 writes timestamped records to an SD card over SPI without ever blocking the sampling loop
- Precision stepper motor controller that runs a tight 133MHz timing loop on core 0 for step-pulse generation while core 1 parses incoming G-code commands over UART, keeping motion smooth even during serial bursts
Key Features
- Dual ARM Cortex-M0+: each core independently clocked up to 133MHz for true parallel execution
- Memory: 264KB SRAM across 6 banks plus 2MB onboard flash
- Raspberry Pi Pico pinout: exact match, compatible with existing HATs, cases, and breakouts
- Language support: MicroPython (_thread module), CircuitPython, and Arduino IDE all work out of the box
- Built-in temperature sensor: readable directly via ADC, no extra hardware required
- DORMANT sleep mode: draws around 0.8mA, viable for battery and coin-cell builds
- IDE support: Thonny, Arduino IDE, and VS Code with the official Pico extension
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this actually Pico-compatible or just similar?
It uses the same RP2040 chip and matches the Raspberry Pi Pico pinout exactly. Libraries, cases, and breakout boards designed for the Pico work without modification.
How do I use both cores in MicroPython?
MicroPython exposes core 1 via the _thread module. Call _thread.start_new_thread(your_function, args) and it runs independently on the second core. Note: CircuitPython is single-core in most current builds, so multicore requires MicroPython or the C SDK.
What are the actual power draw numbers?
In DORMANT sleep mode the RP2040 draws around 0.8mA. Both cores active at full 133MHz clock puts you at roughly 25mA, not counting peripherals. Final draw depends heavily on what is attached and how aggressively you gate the clocks.
Does this have WiFi or Bluetooth?
No onboard wireless. For radio projects, pair it with an ESP-01 over UART or an nRF24L01 over SPI. If you need native WiFi and Bluetooth without an external module, the Raspberry Pi Pico W is the right choice.
Why we stock this
Curated by Kindly Morrow. We test and vet every product before it hits the store. If we wouldn't use it in our own builds, we don't sell it.
Things to build with this
Fun projects to try once you get your hands on it.
Movie mode with one tap
NFC tag on your coffee table. Tap your phone: lights dim, TV turns on, blinds close. Tap again to undo. Feels like magic every time.
Laundry notification system
Vibration sensor on your washing machine. When it stops vibrating, your phone buzzes. No more forgetting wet clothes for 3 days.
Automatic night light path
Motion sensors in the hallway trigger dim warm lights at floor level after 10pm. Walk to the bathroom without waking up fully.
Mailbox alert
Contact sensor on the mailbox door. Home Assistant sends a notification when mail arrives. Never walk to an empty mailbox again.
