Qualcomm Acquires Arduino, Launches New Raspberry Pi Rival
▼ Summary
– Qualcomm is acquiring Arduino, the Italian company known for its open-source microcontroller ecosystem and software.
– Arduino will retain its brand, mission, open-source ethos, and support for multiple silicon vendors after the acquisition.
– The acquisition will give Arduino’s 33M+ users access to Qualcomm’s technology stack and global reach for prototyping and commercialization.
– The deal’s financial terms were not disclosed and is pending regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.
– The first product resulting from the acquisition is the Arduino Uno Q, a Qualcomm-based single-board computer with a Dragonwing QRB2210 processor.
Qualcomm has officially announced its acquisition of Arduino, the well-known Italian creator of open-source microcontroller hardware and software. In a strategic move to expand its presence in the electronics prototyping and education sectors, Qualcomm confirmed that Arduino will continue operating under its own brand and uphold its open-source principles. The company also emphasized that Arduino will maintain support for a diverse range of microcontrollers and microprocessors from various semiconductor suppliers.
Under the new ownership, Arduino’s identity and mission remain intact. Qualcomm stated that the acquisition will provide Arduino’s vast community, more than 33 million active users, with direct access to Qualcomm’s advanced technology portfolio and global market presence. This collaboration is expected to benefit entrepreneurs, developers, educators, and hobbyists by offering enhanced tools for prototyping and a clearer route to commercializing new ideas.
While the financial terms of the deal were not made public, the transaction is still subject to regulatory approvals and standard closing procedures. One of the first tangible outcomes of this partnership is the introduction of the Arduino Uno Q, a single-board computer powered by a Qualcomm Dragonwing QRB2210 processor. This system-on-chip integrates a quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 CPU, an Adreno 702 GPU, and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It also incorporates a real-time microcontroller, enabling seamless integration of high-performance computing with real-time control capabilities.
(Source: Ars Technica)
