The micro:bit is a small, easy-to-code computer that has been used by more than 60 million children worldwide to learn about programming and digital creativity. Its accessibility makes it a powerful educational tool. The device can be expanded with Jacdac, a modular system that allows learners and educators to quickly combine hardware and software components to prototype interactive digital devices. While these prototypes are excellent for exploration and learning, reproducing them in multiple copies — for classroom use, research projects, or community initiatives — is often difficult and time-consuming. The REPLICATE project addresses this challenge by developing MakeDevice, a web-based tool that transforms a one-off prototype into a replicable, durable device. It does this by automatically producing the technical files required for small-scale manufacturing, thereby bridging the gap between experimentation and production. By streamlining this process, the project’s main outcome is to make digital device creation more equitable and scalable, lowering the barriers for educators, students, and communities who want to design and share their own technologies. Methodologically, the project combines participatory design (working closely with teachers, learners, and makers) and applied computing research (developing tools that are robust yet easy to use). Together, these approaches aim to democratise innovation and ensure that the benefits of digital prototyping extend beyond experts to wider society.
The link to the project page: https://prosquared.org/projects/replicate/