ZS-040 / HC-05 Bluetooth module

ZS‑040 / HC‑05 Bluetooth Module – Wireless Connectivity for Makers & Makerspaces
The ZS‑040 (commonly known as the HC‑05) is a compact, low‑cost Bluetooth 4.0 serial transceiver that plugs directly into a breadboard or PCB and communicates with any Bluetooth‑enabled device (smartphones, tablets, laptops, or other micro‑controllers). Designed for Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP‑32 and similar platforms, the module provides a reliable UART link over the 2.4 GHz ISM band, letting students wirelessly send and receive data without messy cables.

What students will learn – By integrating the HC‑05 into projects they’ll master wireless serial communication, pairing procedures, and data framing; they’ll program Bluetooth‑enabled apps in MIT App Inventor, Python, or C/C++; and they’ll explore real‑world concepts such as signal range, interference, and security (PIN pairing & AT‑command configuration). These skills bridge computer science, engineering, and design, giving learners a hands‑on foundation for IoT, robotics, and interactive art.

Key Features

• ★ Built‑in firmware supporting both master and slave modes (AT‑command set)
• ★ Transparent UART interface (3.3 V/5 V tolerant) for plug‑and‑play with most development boards
• ★ Up to 10 m line‑of‑sight range (extended with external antenna)
• ★ Low power consumption (≈30 mA active, <1 mA sleep) – ideal for battery‑powered projects
• ★ Easy pairing via standard Bluetooth 2.0+EDR profiles, compatible with Android/iOS devices

Why it’s perfect for STEAM education – The HC‑05 turns a simple micro‑controller into a wireless hub, enabling interdisciplinary projects that blend coding, electronics, mathematics (signal‑strength calculations), art (interactive installations), and real‑world problem solving. Students can prototype remote‑controlled robots, build wearable health monitors, or create collaborative classroom games, all while reinforcing the STEAM pillars of creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative engineering. Its affordability and straightforward setup make it a go‑to tool for teachers looking to bring modern connectivity into the lab without a steep learning curve.