The maker ecosystem adds a new important member: Arduino UNO Q It arrives as a classic UNO format board, as in the case of the UNO R4 that combines advanced computing with real-time control. The proposal focuses on allowing projects to robotics, IoT, vision and audio scale without giving up the usual Arduino simplicity.
In parallel with the announcement of its integration with Qualcomm, the company presents the first fruit of this alliance: a plaque with a “double brain” where a Linux processor coexists with an RTOS microcontroller. The goal is clear: Uniting AI at the edge and deterministic responses under the same design and with accessible tools.
Arduino UNO Q with dual-brain architecture: Linux and real-time together
At the heart of the UNO Q is the Qualcomm Dragonwing QRB2210, a SoC capable of running Debian and accelerating AI workloads, accompanied by a STM32U585 that handles real-time tasks. This combination allows for the development of applications that require intensive processing and precise control without dividing functions into separate boards.
The board is designed to run Linux (Debian) in the processor and a RTOS like Zephyr on the microcontroller, facilitating low-latency designs with familiar interfaces, in environments where Arduino Create is now compatible with GNU/Linux. In addition, the graphics engine and modern library support open the door to computer vision and multimedia pipelines with a more direct development approach.
Hardware and connectivity to go beyond the prototype
UNO Q is offered with 2GB or 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM and storage 16GB or 32GB eMMC, so the board can act as a mini-computer when needed. Connectivity includes Wi‑Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1, along with a USB-C port that allows power, data and peripheral use, so that You can work with a monitor, keyboard and mouse without depending on a host PC.
To be integrated into embedded systems, the board retains the UNO DNA with an approximate size of 68,85 × 53,34 mm and compatibility with ecosystem accessories, and design tools such as Fritzing. In the I/O section, it offers I2C/I3C, SPI, PWM, CAN, UART, GPIO and ADC, in addition to support for USB and MIPI CSI cameras, audio and multiple expansion buses.
Development: Arduino IDE, App Lab, and Qualcomm ecosystem
Addition Classic Arduino IDE, the company premieres Arduino App Lab, an open source development environment that unifies real-time streams, Linux, Python, and AIThe idea is to reduce friction between domains, accelerate iteration, and facilitate both prototyping and industrialization.
Integration with Edge Impulse allows you to create and adjust models for tasks such as people and object detection, image classification or recognition of keywords and ambient sounds. With the power of Dragonwing and the support of modern libraries, it is feasible to deploy AI pipelines at the edge without relying on complex infrastructure. For those who need it, the processor supports container-based workflows and common DevOps tools in Linux.
Arduino UNO Q Use Cases: From Smart Home to Factory
The dual format and architecture facilitate designs ranging from smart homes, industrial control and robotics to embedded vision and audio processing. With the microcontroller managing sensors, actuators and critical times, the processor can handle AI inferences, visualization, or communication, all on a single board.
Price, versions and availability of the Arduino UNO Q
The base configuration of 2 GB RAM and 16 GB eMMC It is located in the surroundings of the $44 in the US and 47,60 Euros in Spain, while the option of 4 GB and 32 GB eMMC is expected to be priced higher. According to the calendar shared by the brand, Reservations are now active and the first shipments are expected for the end of October, with the higher memory variant planned for November in certain markets.
After the alliance with Qualcomm
Qualcomm has communicated the acquisition of Arduino, subject to regulatory approval, and both companies assure that the brand, open source approach, and multi-vendor support will remain. With a community of more than 33 million developers, Arduino gains access to tools and processing, graphics and vision capabilities of the Qualcomm ecosystem, while this one is getting closer to the maker and professional universe.
Beyond the launch of the UNO Q, Both sides are targeting new products and utilities that take advantage of the combination of software and hardware, including integrations with platforms such as Edge Impulse and Foundries.io to accelerate development, testing and commercialization routes.
With the UNO format as always and a double brain Capable of running Debian and an RTOS in parallel, the new board places AI and deterministic control on the same hardware foundation, relying on AppLab for a seamless workflow and broad connectivity to integrate into real-world projects; a natural fit for those looking to prototype and scale without changing platforms.