Qualcomm has announced plans to acquire Arduino, the renowned Italian open-source hardware platform widely used by educators, inventors, and hobbyists. Although financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, Arduino will continue to operate independently following the acquisition. According to Qualcomm, the move aims to expand its portfolio of advanced technologies and strengthen its position in the growing Edge AI and open-source ecosystem. The company believes this partnership will help “bring ideas to life” from classrooms and research labs to startups and industrial innovators. Arduino, best known for its easy-to-use microcontroller boards, is a staple for prototyping and experimentation, rather than large-scale commercial production. As noted by CNBC, the platform enjoys immense popularity among electronics enthusiasts and developers worldwide. Once the deal is finalized, Arduino’s 33 million-strong global community will gain access to Qualcomm’s powerful tech infrastructure, including its AI and connectivity solutions. Analysts say this integration could give Qualcomm an edge with future clients who may opt for its hardware over competing platforms. The closing date for the acquisition has not yet been confirmed and remains subject to regulatory approval, though experts do not expect major obstacles. Alongside the announcement, Arduino also teased its next-generation hardware product, signaling an ambitious new chapter under Qualcomm’s leadership. The Uno Q is described as the company’s first “dual-brain” board, complete with a Linux Debian-capable microprocessor and microcontroller (STM32U585) Powered by Qualcomm’s Dragonwing QRB2210 platform, the new single-board computer featuring 2GB of RAM, 16GB of eMMC storage, dual-band Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, and USB-C connectivity board is positioned as a versatile “go-to tool” for developers, enabling cutting-edge AI-powered vision and audio applications. Breaking new ground, the Uno Q is the first Arduino board compatible with App Lab, Arduino’s latest development environment. Qualcomm highlights seamless integration with the Edge Impulse platform, empowering users to build and refine AI models using real-world data from diverse sources. Priced at $44, the Uno Q is available for pre-order on Arduino’s online store, with shipping slated for October 24.
Qualcomm set to acquire Arduino to strengthen Edge AI and open-source ecosystem
