Getting Started with the LilyPad Arduino, LilyPad Arduino Simple and LilyPad Arduino Simple Snap

The LilyPad Arduino family of boards has been designed for wearable applications. It works on rechargeable batteries and allows easy connection with sensors and actuators developed for an easy integration in clothes and fabrics.

The LilyPad Arduino, LilyPad Arduino Simple and LilyPad Arduino Simple Snap are different from the usual Arduino boards because they need a USB to Serial interface to be programmed. The Arduino USB 2 Serial interface is the one we recommend, but any standard FTDI compatible interface is suitable. The Arduino USB 2 Serial interface behaves as an Arduino UNO and shares the same drivers.

The LilyPad Arduino, LilyPad Arduino Simple and LilyPad Arduino Simple Snap are programmed using the Arduino Software (IDE), our Integrated Development Environment common to all our boards and running both online and offline.

Use your LilyPad Arduino, LilyPad Arduino Simple and LilyPad Arduino Simple Snap on the Arduino Web IDE

All Arduino boards, including this one, work out-of-the-box on the Arduino Web Editor, you only need to install Arduino Create Agent to get started.

The Arduino Web Editor is hosted online, therefore it will always be up-to-date with the latest features and support for all boards. Follow this simple guide to start coding on the browser and upload your sketches onto your board.

Use your LilyPad Arduino, LilyPad Arduino Simple and LilyPad Arduino Simple Snap on the Arduino Desktop IDE

If you want to program your LilyPad Arduino, LilyPad Arduino Simple and LilyPad Arduino Simple Snap while offline you need to install the Arduino Desktop IDE.

Connect the board

Connect the Arduino board to your computer using the USB 2 Serial adapter and a USB cable.

Open your first sketch

Open the LED blink example sketch: File > Examples >01.Basics > Blink.

Select your board type and port

You'll need to select the entry in the Tools > Board menu that corresponds to your Arduino board.

Upload the program

Now, simply click the "Upload" button in the environment. Wait a few seconds - you should see the RX and TX leds on the USB 2 Serial board flashing. If the upload is successful, the message "Done uploading." will appear in the status bar.

Learn more on the Desktop IDE

See this tutorial for a generic guide on the Arduino IDE with a few more infos on the Preferences, the Board Manager, and the Library Manager.

Tutorials

Now that you have set up and programmed your LilyPad Arduino board, you may find inspiration in our Project Hub tutorial platform.

The text of the Arduino getting started guide is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. Code samples in the guide are released into the public domain.