SparkFun To Start Shipping MaKey MaKey Kits

MaKey MaKey, 'The Invention Kit for Everyone' makes electronics exploration easy

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Aug 27, 2012, 09:07 ET

BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SparkFun Electronics (www.sparkfun.com), a provider of parts, knowledge and passion for electronics creation, is now shipping the MaKey MaKey, a new product that invites everyone to be an inventor.

MaKey MaKey was designed by MIT graduate students Jay Silver and Eric Rosenbaum and was SparkFun's first product sold through the crowd-funding website Kickstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/joylabs/makey-makey-an-invention-kit-for-everyone?ref=live).

With a modest goal of raising $25,000, more than $550,000 was invested by people all over the world looking to get their hands on this new innovative product.

The MaKey MaKey is an invention kit that encourages everyone to discover creative new ways to interact with computers. It allows users to create inventions using almost any everyday object such as a keyboard key or mouse. For example, you could replace your space key with a banana, use Play-Doh to move and click your mouse, or high-five your best friend to advance PowerPoint slides.

"The MaKey MaKey is an amazing kit because it really lowers the point of entry for beginning electronics enthusiasts," said AnnDrea Boe, SparkFun director of marketing communications. "This kit allows users to start inventing immediately, right out of the box. It's a fantastic way to start exploring DIY electronics."

The MaKey MaKey uses very high resistance switching to detect when any of its 18 inputs are activated, even through materials that aren't very conductive (like leaves, pasta or people). The MaKey MaKey communicates with your computer using the USB Human Interface Device (HID) specification which means that it can act just like a USB keyboard or mouse. In addition, the MaKey MaKey is also an Arduino-compatible platform, so users can easily re-map any of the keys, or further customize it to their needs.

To learn more about the MaKey MaKey visit (www.sparkfun.com/makeymakey) or (www.makeymakey.com). The regular kit is $39.95 and comes with the MaKey MaKey HID board, an alligator clip pack and a mini-USB cable. The deluxe kit ($49.95) includes everything that the basic kit does, in addition to a second alligator clip pack, a jumper wires pack and a roll of copper tape for even more possibilities. To view a fun video of the MaKey MaKey in action, visit (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11085).

Connect with SparkFun on its social media portals and stay informed about the company's latest news, contests and giveaways on: Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, Vimeo and Google+.

About SparkFun Electronics

Founded in 2003, SparkFun shares its passion by providing parts, knowledge, and innovation for those looking to explore the world of embedded electronics. It helps anyone discover their inner inventor and enables individuals to create their own electronics projects.

SparkFun currently offers more than 1,800 products, ranging from simple components, like capacitors and resistors, to GPS units and Bluetooth modules. The company employs more than 140 people and is based in Boulder, Colorado.

Press Contact:
Jeremy Douglas
Catapult PR-IR
303-581-7760 ext. 16
[email protected]

SOURCE SparkFun Electronics