2024

Final Year Design Project

A Next-Gen Electronics Platform for the Next Generation of Makers

Open Sesame

The current workflows to create prototypes with functional electronics are prohibitively difficult for a large number of students. A ‘perfect storm’ of factors, including a shortage of specialist electronics tutors, ever-tighter budgets, and aging equipment, means that the barrier to entry for building working systems is exceptionally high, a fortiori for those with limited resources.

Imaginary Parts is an easy-to-use electronics prototyping kit designed for secondary D&T students: various modules that snap together using magnetic connectors, allowing users to quickly and easily build electronic systems without needing prior knowledge of electronics. Each module has one specific function, such as sensing light or controlling a motor, and the complexity of the connections is hidden from the user. This makes it simple for students to create functional projects by just snapping the modules together, reducing the need for teacher supervision and making design more accessible.

For Every Maker

Parts that Grow as You Do

Building a system with Imaginary Parts is dead straightforward: start with a Cortex: the ‘brains’ of your project and add as many other parts as you’d like. Here are some of the Parts on offer; over time this ecosystem can grow with more modules.

Cortex

Light Module

Light Sensor (Illuminometer)

Humidity Sensor (Hygrometer)

Temperature Sensor (Thermometer)

Pump Driver (WAGO connector)

Motor Driver (WAGO connector)

For When Size Matters

Simply unfasten a single TR10 security screw and any Imaginary Part undocks from a classroom-friendly 100mm module to a prototype-ready 24mm module.

The World's Smallest ESP32 Dev Board*

Imaginary Cortex’s PCB has a footprint of just 17x17mm, making it the world’s smallest ESP32-powered development board. It achieves this by using a mezzanine design; the components are spread across two boards stacked top of each other.

All Imaginary Parts use the ESP-32 S3, a dual-core microcontroller, providing best-in-class performance + efficiency.