This project uses an Adafruit PyPortal, an open-source IoT touch display. Traditionally, a microcontroller is programmed with firmware compiled using various specific toolchains. Fortunately, the PyPortal is programmed using CircuitPython, a lightweight version of Python that works on embedded hardware. You just copy your code to the PyPortal like you would to a thumb drive and it runs.
I deploy the backend, the part in the cloud that does all the heavy lifting, using the AWS Serverless Application Repository (SAR). The code on the PyPortal makes a REST call to the backend to handle the requests to the NASA Mars Rover Photos API and InSight: Mars Weather Service API. It then converts and resizes the image before returning the information to the PyPortal for display.
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Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
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Python for Microcontrollers – Adafruit Daily — Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: CircuitPython 9.2.1, What is DMA, PyConUS 2025 and More! #CircuitPython #Python #micropython @ThePSF @Raspberry_Pi
EYE on NPI – Adafruit Daily — EYE on NPI Maxim’s Himalaya uSLIC Step-Down Power Module #EyeOnNPI @maximintegrated @digikey
