Nordic Thingy:52 IoT sensor kit

Compact multi-sensor prototyping platform

The Nordic Thingy:52™ is an easy-to-use prototyping platform, designed to help in building prototypes and demos, without the need to build hardware or even write firmware. It is built around the nRF52832 Bluetooth 5 SoC.

All sensors and actuators can be configured over-the-air using Bluetooth Low Energy. It makes it possible to create demos and prototypes without starting from scratch. It connects to Bluetooth Low Energy-enabled smart phones, tablets, laptops and similar devices, and it sends/receives data from/to its sensors/actuators to an app or cloud. It includes an NFC antenna, and has 1 button and 1 RGB LED that simplifies input and output.

It comes with the accompanying Nordic Thingy:52 app for iOS and Android, and a web Bluetooth API app. It also offers cloud connectivity through the IFTTT web service.

It is powered with a rechargeable Li-Po battery with a capacity of 1440 mAh, that can be charged via USB. Source code for firmware and mobile apps and hardware layout and schematics are available.

Source code for the firmware can be found on GitHub here, with belonging documentation here

Download PDF Download Thingy:52 product brief [PDF]

Key features
  • Supports Bluetooth LE and NFC
  • User-programmable button and LEDs
  • Nine-axis motion sensor
  • Low-power accelerometer
  • Humidity, air pressure and temperature sensors
  • Air quality/gas sensor
  • Color sensor
  • Speaker and microphone
  • Rechargeable Li-Po battery with 1440 mAh capacity

Connect and test

  1. Unbox your Thingy. 
  2. Gently remove the rubber overlay to reveal the power button. You will find it right next to the micro-USB port. Power on the device. Nordic Thingy:52 has been designed with focus on power efficiency and will be able to function for extended periods of time without charging. To charge the Thingy, simply connect it to a computer or mobile charger via the micro-USB port. Note that the power switch must be on for the device to charge.
  3. Download the mobile app suitable for your platform; the Nordic Thingy iOS App from App store or the Nordic Thingy Android App from Play store. You can also use the web application, which does not require you to install any software on your mobile device. Simply scan for the Eddystone beacon advertised by the Thingy and follow the URL.
  4. Start the mobile app and tap Scan to search for nearby devices. Connect to a device that advertises as Thingy. 
  5. Set a name for your Thingy. This is an optional step.
  6. You now enter the main screen of the app. This screen displays the environment sensor data captured by your Thingy. You can connect to or disconnect from a Nordic Thingy:52 using the button located on the toolbar near the top of the screen.
  7. Tap the hamburger icon located near the top left of the screen to enter the main menu of the app. Navigate this menu to view and access the various types of sensor data captured from the connected Thingy devices.
     

Get started

Congratulations on getting your Nordic Thingy:52!

In this guide, we’ll show you how to power up your Nordic Thingy:52 and control it through the provided mobile apps.

Note: The screenshots in this procedure show the Android mobile application, but the procedure is almost the same for the iOS app and web application.

Video Tutorials

View and learn

Nordic Thingy:52

Nordic Thingy:52 Fan Demo

Nordic Thingy:52 Light Demo

Nordic Thingy:52 Radiostream Demo