IoT on Your Raspberry Pi

Grove is a modular, standardized connecter (Figure 5) prototyping system that takes a building block approach to assembling electronics. Compared with jumpers or a solder-based system, it is easier to connect with other components, prototype experiments, and build projects, and it simplifies the learning system, but not to the point where it becomes dumbed down. Some of the other prototyping systems simplify down to building blocks. Although you can learn that way, the Grove system allows you to build real projects and requires some learning and expertise to hook things up.

The Grove system comprises a base unit and various modules with standardized connectors. The base unit allows easy connection of any Grove input or output module. Every Grove module typically addresses a single function, such as a simple button or something more complex like a heart rate sensor. Two examples of base units are the Pi2Grover ($20) from SwitchDoc Labs and GrovePi+ ($30) [8] from Dexter Industries. The big difference between these two units, aside from price, is that the Pi2Grover provides a direct connection between the Raspberry Pi and the Grove units (which allows normal Python drivers to work without modification), whereas GrovePi+ puts an Arduino between the Grove device and the Raspberry Pi (which requires new drivers to be written for the GrovePi+ board).

You don't need a base unit to connect to Grove modules. You can run a cable (jumper wires-to-Grove connector) from the pins on the Raspberry Pi or Arduino to the Grove connectors.

The Grove sunlight sensor is not waterproof; therefore, if you want to put it outside, you need to put your IoT device in a box with a window that lets the light shine through to the sensor. However, most plastics and glass are basically impervious to UV radiation (that's why your Photogray sunglasses don't work well in a car), so you need to use a special plastic or – what I prefer – silica quartz, which will let the UV light through.