A man demonstrates the Micro Bit mini-computer (Photo : YouTube / BBC Teach)
Micro Bit mini-computers are now slated to be shipped internationally after the BBC-led non-profit foundation made the announcement.
The mini-computing device was given away to children in schools located in the United Kingdom for the educational project. BBC aims to increase the number of children taking up computing to the new Micro Bit mini-computer.
BBC is also aiming to encourage girls to increase the number of females in the competitive field of programming and computer engineering. Micro Bit faced a problem earlier as the rollout was delayed from 2015 to 2016 .
Micro Bit computers are also used in educational facilities located in Iceland and Netherlands, BBC News has learned. The non-profit foundation still aims to spread Micro Bit mini-computers throughout the globe and is already planning for an international rollout expected in 2017.
Zach Shelby, the chief of the organization, said: "Our goal is to go out and reach 100 million people with Micro Bit, and by reach I mean affect their lives with the technology."
Shelby added that they aim to sell "millions of devices" over the next decade or so. They did not announce a clear road plan on how they intend to release Micro Bit mini-computers and which countries they aim to target.
Micro Bit mini-computers are designed to help students learn more about programming and coding through various projects with the device, Tech Radar reported. It works similarly to Raspberry Pi computers.
One disadvantage of the Micro Bit devices is that they are several times more expensive than Raspberry Pi computers. It is probably because they are still new to the market and they still have no capital or room to allow for cheaper prices.
BBC might announce the release dates for the Micro Bit in other countries soon but they aim to spread the device more in the UK, the United States and neighboring countries. The organization said that they wanted to lower the price down when they release the Micro Bit mini-computers throughout developing countries across the globe in order to help them educate children in such countries without the need for expensive costs.
