9 Projects Ideas to Get into DIY Mode With Raspberry Pi Pico

Got a Raspberry Pi Pico? Here are some examples of what you can do with this tiny but versatile microcontroller.
Warp Terminal

The Raspberry Pi Pico is a tiny yet powerful microcontroller unit (MCU) that has quickly become a favorite for hobbyists and tinkerers.

Based on the RP2040 chip, it’s packed with features like GPIO pins, I2C, SPI, UART interfaces, and programmable I/O.

Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or a beginner, the Pico is a gateway to countless creative projects.

In this article, we’ll explore various projects that demonstrate the Pico’s capabilities.

These projects cater to a wide range of audiences, ensuring that everyone, whether just starting or seasoned in the field, can find something inspiring to build.

So, let’s grab a Raspberry Pi Pico, unleash our creativity, and dive into the exciting world of DIY electronics.

1. Temperature monitor

Easily keep tabs on temperature changes with a DIY temperature monitor powered by the Raspberry Pi Pico.

With its built-in temperature sensor and a connected OLED display, this project is perfect for real-time monitoring.

I can already think multiple use cases for it, like from ensuring optimal conditions in server rooms to maintaining ideal environments for greenhouses and wine cellars.

temperature monitor with Raspberry Pi Pico W
Source: Electronic Clinic

The Pico's onboard temperature sensor provides data, while the OLED display shows the readings in a clear, user-friendly format.

You can watch the video on Electronic Clinic's YouTube channel.

2. Automatic plant watering system

Tired of forgetting to water your plants? The project Sploosh uses the Pico to monitor soil moisture levels and automatically activate a water pump when needed.

It's ideal for plant lovers who want a low-maintenance garden or for sustainable farming enthusiasts looking to conserve water.

💡
Tip: Combine this with a solar power setup for an eco-friendly solution.
Source: Veebch

The soil moisture sensor detects when the soil is too dry and signals the Pico to activate the pump. This ensures your plants stay hydrated, even when you're busy or away.

GitHub - veebch/sploosh: A PID controller for a plant watererer connected to a soil moisture sensor
A PID controller for a plant watererer connected to a soil moisture sensor - veebch/sploosh

3. Motion-activated stair lights

Enhance your home’s safety and aesthetics with motion-activated LED lights for your staircase.

In this project by Craig Richardson, the lights automatically illuminate when someone approaches, providing visibility while saving energy.

This is especially useful for families with kids or elderly members and adds a modern touch to any home.

💡
Tip: Use addressable LED strips for customizable colors and effects, giving your staircase a unique and stylish look.
Source: Craig Richardson

The PIR sensor detects movement, and the Pico triggers the LEDs to light up. You can even program dynamic effects like fading or sequential lighting for added flair.

Pico stair lights
Using the Raspberry Pi Pico and Neopixels for animated stair lights. By craig richardson.

4. Liquid level monitoring system

Avoid overflows and conserve water with an automated liquid level monitoring system. This project is ideal for home water tanks or even monitoring liquid levels in industrial setups.

With visual indicators and an alarm, you can be instantly notified when a container reaches a critical level.

Source: Instructables Circuits

The floatable object moves with the water level, and the potentiometer reads the changes. LEDs light up to indicate the water level, and the buzzer warns when the container is full.

You can read the full article on Instructables Circuits website for detailed instructions.

Raspberry Pi Pico Water-level-indicator Using Potentiometer
Raspberry Pi Pico Water-level-indicator Using Potentiometer: Hello, I am a school student from Germany and this is my first Instructable. I‘m excited to show you how to make a water-level-indicator using Raspberry pi Pico and a Potentiometer. My parents gifted me the Raspberry pi Pico for Christmas and immedi…

5. Bathroom ventilation automation

Automate your bathroom fan to turn on only when necessary.

This system detects high humidity levels and activates the ventilation fan, preventing mold growth and improving air quality.

This project is practical for energy savings and better indoor hygiene.

Source: electromaker

The DHT11 sensor monitors humidity, and the Pico controls the fan based on preset thresholds. This ensures the fan runs only when needed, reducing electricity usage.

Bathroom Ventilation Controlled By Raspberry Pico
Automated control of bathroom's ventilation fan using RPi Pico based on light sensor and DHT11 temperature/humidity sensor.

6. Motion-sensing automatic fan

Wave goodbye to switches! This fan turns on with a simple hand gesture, thanks to motion-sensing technology.

Perfect for desks or workstations, this fan combines convenience with a modern touch.

0:00
/0:03

Source: hackster.io

When the PIR sensor detects motion, the Pico activates the fan motor. You can also program the fan to oscillate using a servo for better air coverage.

Infrared sensing automatic fan
Use Pico and Grove make an auto-sensing fan, when you wave your hand you can control the servo and the fan to turn at the same time. By Seeed.

7. Light alarm clock

Start your mornings on a gentle note with a light alarm clock that uses soft illumination instead of loud, jarring sounds.

The gradual increase in brightness mimics a sunrise, stimulating your natural wake-up process and helping you feel refreshed.

Source: hackster.io

This project by Teig uses an RTC module to keep track of time, ensuring the light turns on gradually before your wake-up time.

This project is simple yet highly effective for those who find traditional alarms unpleasant.

Light alarm clock with raspberry pi pico
Easy and useful: An introduction project to get to know the raspberry pi pico. By teig.

8. Burglar alarm

Boost your home’s security with a Raspberry Pi Pico-based burglar alarm system. Created by Miftahul, this device detects motion near entry points and alerts you to potential intrusions, making it ideal for smart home security setups.

💡
Tip: Place the sensor strategically near doors or windows to maximize its coverage and effectiveness.
Source: hackster.io

The PIR sensor detects movement and sends a signal to the Pico, triggering the buzzer. Enhance this setup with Wi-Fi for mobile notifications or add bright LEDs to deter intruders.

Burglar Alarm Using Raspberry Pi Pico
The burglar alarm 🚨 this a system that uses a motion sensor (PIR Sensor) to detect intruders. The system will flash the light and beep. By Miftahul Akhyar 98767.

9. Digital oscilloscope

Build your own affordable oscilloscope using the Raspberry Pi Pico to visualize electrical signals.

This DIY project by Sagar is perfect for electronics enthusiasts, students, and hobbyists looking to learn circuit debugging and waveform analysis.

Source: hackster.io

The Pico captures the electrical signals and sends the data to your smartphone or computer via USB, where the waveform is displayed on a custom application.

This project is a cost-effective alternative to commercial oscilloscopes.

Raspberry Pi Pico 200Khz Digital Oscilloscope
A Waveform analyzer, Signal generator and logic tester in a small PI PICO. With a dedicated application, Runs on Android. By sagar saini.
📋
If you are a complete beginner experimenting with GPIO pins and the Pico for the first time, the official Raspberry Pi documentation, Getting Started with Raspberry Pi Pico, will be incredibly helpful.

More project ideas for other Pi devices

If you have the regular Raspberry Pi board, here are some project ideas for you.

36 Raspberry Pi Projects Anyone Can Follow [2024]
Here we list some of the cool Raspberry Pi projects and ideas. The projects have been divided into easy, intermediate, and advanced categories.

And a few project inspirations if you own a Pi Zero W.

28 Super Cool Raspberry Pi Zero W Project Ideas
Wondering what to do with your Raspberry Pi Zero W? Here are a bunch of project ideas you can spend some time on and satisfy your DIY craving.

My thoughts

The Raspberry Pi Pico stands out for its affordability, versatility, and robust community support.

Its RP2040 microcontroller provides ample processing power, while its GPIO pins allow integration with a wide array of sensors and modules.

As someone who has delved into the Raspberry Pi ecosystem, I find the Pico to be an excellent gateway into embedded systems.

It strikes the right balance between simplicity and functionality, making it perfect for hobbyists and professionals alike.

We would want to know the incredible stuff our readers are working on, your DIY projects, anything! So, share your projects, and I’ll probably feature them in the next article.

Let’s keep the creativity flowing and build something amazing together!

About the author
Abhishek Kumar

Abhishek Kumar

I'm definitely not a nerd, perhaps a geek who likes to tinker around with whatever tech I get my hands on. Figuring things out on my own gives me joy. BTW, I don't use Arch.

Become a Better Linux User

With the FOSS Weekly Newsletter, you learn useful Linux tips, discover applications, explore new distros and stay updated with the latest from Linux world

itsfoss happy penguin

Great! You’ve successfully signed up.

Welcome back! You've successfully signed in.

You've successfully subscribed to It's FOSS.

Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.

Success! Your billing info has been updated.

Your billing was not updated.