Qualcomm announced plans to acquire Arduino, best known for its accessible microcontroller boards that power millions of DIY and professional projects, marking a significant shift for both companies as they aim to bring AI and edge computing closer to developers’ hands.
The deal, still subject to regulatory approval, will fold Arduino’s open-source hardware ecosystem into Qualcomm’s broader portfolio of IoT and embedded solutions.
Arduino states that the move will help accelerate innovation by providing developers with direct access to Qualcomm’s hardware and AI technology. Both companies say Arduino will continue to operate under its current brand and maintain its open-source model.
Alongside the acquisition news, Arduino also unveiled the UNO Q, a new Linux-capable microprocessor featuring the Qualcomm Dragonwing QRB2210 with AI and graphic acceleration, paired with a real-time STM32U585 microcontroller development board, built in partnership with Qualcomm.
According to the manufacturer, this “dual brain” design enables developers to prototype AI and connected applications without needing to switch between different platforms. The board also introduces App Lab, a browser-based development environment that lets users write, test, and deploy code directly online.
For now, both companies confirm that existing products and community support will remain unchanged. For more information, see Qualcomm’s announcement here or Arduino’s one here.
