Student YouTube star makes DIY robotics look as easy as Pi

A first-year university student has become an online sensation, offering expert advice on DIY robotics and computer programming.

Matt Timmons-Brown has built a huge following showing people how to create fun, practical projects on tiny, affordable computers.

His tutorial videos feature credit card-sized devices – called Raspberry Pi – which were launched in 2012 to help people learn about computer programming.

Now University of Edinburgh student Matt – dubbed The Raspberry Pi Guy – has published his first book, which guides readers through the process of building a robot. The book – Learn Robotics with Raspberry Pi – was published last month.

Matt, who is studying in the University’s Schools of Engineering and Informatics, developed an interest in computing and electronics after becoming one of the first people to own a Raspberry Pi.

He set up a YouTube channel soon after to share his progress and create tutorials to help inspire others to learn about coding, circuits and robots.

The page has since become the world’s most-popular YouTube channel about the Raspberry Pi, and currently has around 66,000 subscribers.

His videos – which have attracted nearly six million views so far – range from beginner’s guides and tutorials to detailed instructions on how to build basic robots and create electric skateboards.

Matt Timmons-Brown, said: “I wanted to create the ultimate beginners guide to this exciting field – one that I would have liked to have read when I was just starting! I’m in my second semester at Edinburgh and enjoying every moment. I quickly realised that it was the place for me – not only is the University fantastic, the city itself is the perfect balance of history, culture and entertainment.”