In a major move for the maker and embedded computing world, Qualcomm has signed an agreement to acquire Arduino, aiming to merge Qualcomm’s cutting-edge technology with Arduino’s massive open-source community.
The goal is simple — to empower engineers, educators, entrepreneurs, and makers to build smarter, faster, and more connected devices.
At the same time, the two companies unveiled the Arduino UNO Q, a “dual-brain” single-board computer (SBC) powered by a Qualcomm DragonWing QRB2210 SoC and an STMicro STM32U585 microcontroller, bringing together Linux, real-time control, and AI capabilities in one compact board.
According to the announcement, this acquisition will preserve Arduino’s independence and commitment to open hardware while expanding its reach through Qualcomm’s global technology ecosystem.
“Arduino will retain its independent brand, tools, and mission, while continuing to support a wide range of microcontrollers and microprocessors from multiple semiconductor providers,” the companies stated.
With 33 million+ Arduino users, the community will now gain access to Qualcomm’s powerful AI, connectivity, and SoC technology, opening new doors for prototyping, edge computing, and IoT commercialization.
Introducing the Arduino UNO Q “Dual-Brain” SBC
The newly announced Arduino UNO Q marks a new era for Arduino — blending real-time MCU control with Linux-based AI processing.
It’s designed for developers who want both Arduino simplicity and Qualcomm-level performance in one device.
Key Hardware Highlights
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Application Processor | Qualcomm QRB2210 SoC (Quad-core Cortex-A53 @ 2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 702 GPU @ 845 MHz (OpenGL ES 3.1, Vulkan 1.1) |
| DSP / VPU | Hexagon QDSP6 v66 / 1080p 30 fps encode & decode |
| Real-Time MCU | STMicro STM32U585 (Cortex-M33 @ 160 MHz, 2 MB flash, 786 KB RAM) |
| Memory & Storage | 2 GB RAM + 16 GB eMMC or 4 GB RAM + 32 GB eMMC |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 5 + Bluetooth 5.1 (WCBN3536A module) |
| I/O & Expansion | Arduino UNO headers, JMISC connector, MIPI CSI/DSI, CAN, SAI, PWM, ADC/DAC |
| Power Supply | 5 V USB-C (3 A) / 7–24 V Vin |
| Form Factor | Arduino UNO-compatible (68.58 × 53.34 mm) |
| Price | $44 (ABX00162) / €47.60 (incl. VAT) |
| Shipping Date | October 24, 2025 |
Software: Debian Linux + Zephyr OS
The Qualcomm QRB2210 runs Debian Linux with upstream kernel support, while the STM32U5 MCU runs Arduino code on Zephyr RTOS, ensuring deterministic real-time performance.
Developers can explore pinout diagrams, datasheets, CAD/STEP files, and tutorials on the official documentation portal.
Arduino App Lab: Unified IDE for MCU + MPU + AI
Alongside the hardware, Arduino introduced App Lab, a next-gen integrated development environment designed for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
App Lab enables users to:
- Program both MCU (Zephyr OS) and MPU (Linux) from one interface
- Integrate Python, AI, and Arduino apps seamlessly
- Build using modular “Bricks”, similar to Arduino libraries
This new IDE aims to unify the development workflow across real-time, Linux, and AI environments.
The Arduino UNO Q (SKU ABX00162) is available for pre-order now at $44.00 (or €47.60 with VAT) on the Arduino Store, with shipments beginning October 24, 2025.
The Arduino App Lab IDE will soon appear in the Software section on Arduino’s website.
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