# Programmable IO The [[rp2040]] also has something called "[[rp2040 Programmable IO]] IO" (see [What is PIO? - Raspberry Pi](https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/what-is-pio/)) which is really cool, as you can implement state machines in hardware for additional protocols, or even just adding more of a certain type of interface. See also: [What is Programmable I/O on Raspberry Pi Pico? — HackSpace magazine](https://hackspace.raspberrypi.com/articles/what-is-programmable-i-o-on-raspberry-pi-pico)