Arduino microcontrollers have added Python to the range of compatible programming languages. Others can be used, and not just Arduino's own IDE app.

University of Cambridge theoretical physicist Damien George has built a tiny microcontroller that is more powerful than Arduino and far simpler than the Raspberry Pi. Just funded on Kickstarter ...

To build this project, all you need is three main components: an Arduino Uno, a 16x2 LCD, and a push button. You can connect everything to a breadboard to keep it simple.