December 10, 2025
Based on the presentation script from RubyWorld Conference 2025
This article is based on the script of the presentation “Why Now Is the Right Time for PicoRuby” , delivered by Hitoshi Hasumi (ANDPAD Inc.) at RubyWorld Conference 2025. The original session was a 30-minute conference talk , and this text adapts its core ideas, arguments, and examples into written form for a broader audience.
Introduction: A Turning Point for Ruby on Microcontrollers
PicoRuby is no longer a niche experiment or a curiosity limited to hardware enthusiasts. According to the presentation at RubyWorld Conference 2025, it has reached a point where its ecosystem, community momentum, and technical maturity align in a way that makes now the optimal moment to start using it.
Rather than positioning PicoRuby as a “future promise,” the talk argues that PicoRuby is already delivering real value today—both as a practical tool for embedded development and as a powerful medium for learning and experimentation.
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What Is PicoRuby?
PicoRuby is a Ruby implementation designed to run on microcontrollers, enabling developers to write Ruby code directly on constrained hardware. In the presentation, PicoRuby is framed as a platform that supports multiple use cases:
- Serious IoT and embedded products
- Practical DIY electronics
- Small, playful, experimental projects
- An educational “learning computer” for programming and electronics
This versatility is one of PicoRuby’s strengths. It lowers the barrier to entry for hardware programming while remaining expressive and flexible enough for advanced applications.
The Symbolism of “L-chika”
A recurring theme in the presentation is L-chika—the traditional “blink an LED” exercise familiar to embedded developers.
In PicoRuby, L-chika can be achieved in roughly one minute , which the speaker highlights as more than just a technical milestone. It represents:
- Immediate feedback
- A tangible connection between code and the physical world
- A sense of joy and emotional engagement with computing
The presentation describes this as a form of aesthetic or emotional education , emphasizing that seeing hardware respond instantly to Ruby code creates a deeper learning experience. This emotional connection is positioned as a key factor in why PicoRuby resonates with so many developers.
Why Now? Community Momentum and Adoption
The core argument of the presentation is simple: this is the right time because PicoRuby has already crossed the threshold of widespread adoption.
Evidence presented during the talk includes data from RubyWorld Conference 2025 itself :
- On Day 2 of the conference (excluding keynotes), PicoRuby-related sessions accounted for more than half of the total session time
- More than half of the speakers were directly involved with PicoRuby
These numbers led to a striking conclusion in the presentation: RubyWorld Conference 2025 effectively functioned as a de facto PicoRuby conference.
This level of visibility signals not only interest, but sustained engagement from the Ruby community.
From Experiment to Ecosystem
Another important point in the presentation is that PicoRuby has evolved beyond an experimental project. It now has:
- Clear setup documentation
- Repeatable development workflows
- A growing base of contributors and users
- Increasing presence at major Ruby events
This shift from “interesting idea” to “usable platform” is critical. It means developers can invest time in PicoRuby with confidence that their skills and projects will remain relevant.
What Comes Next
The presentation closes by looking forward rather than backward. One notable announcement was the PicoRuby Overflow Conference , scheduled for July 2025 in Osaka. This dedicated event further reinforces the idea that PicoRuby is no longer peripheral—it has become a central topic within the Ruby ecosystem.
Conclusion
Based on the script of the RubyWorld Conference 2025 presentation, the message is clear: PicoRuby’s moment is not in the future—it is happening now.
With strong community adoption, a compelling developer experience, and an emotional connection to hardware programming that few platforms offer, PicoRuby stands at the intersection of education, experimentation, and real-world application. For Ruby developers curious about embedded systems, there has never been a better time to start.
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