Arduino UNO Q: The Powerful New Board That Redefines Open-Source Innovation

Arduino has taken a major leap forward with the introduction of the UNO Q, a hybrid board that combines the accessibility of traditional Arduino platforms with the power of modern single-board computers. This launch follows a bold acquisition move by Qualcomm, signaling a new era for open-source hardware development. With an innovative dual-core architecture and support for running full Linux distributions, the UNO Q positions itself as a game-changer in the maker, educational, and embedded systems landscapes.

Whether you’re into robotics, AI prototyping, or just looking for a powerful yet accessible development board, the Arduino UNO Q is packed with features that set it miles ahead of its predecessors. Let’s dig into what makes this device one of the most exciting releases in the embedded space and how it stacks up against both older Arduinos and competing SBCs like Raspberry Pi or Nvidia Jetson.

What is the Arduino UNO Q?

The Arduino UNO Q is a new Linux-capable single-board computer (SBC) designed through the collaboration between Arduino and Qualcomm. Launched as part of Qualcomm’s strategy to empower developers at the edge, this board features a dual-processor design. That means it includes both a traditional microcontroller unit (MCU) and a powerful microprocessor unit (MPU). This hybrid approach allows the UNO Q to handle real-time tasks with Arduino’s simplicity while executing more demanding applications with full onboard Linux support.

At its core, the UNO Q includes:

• A Qualcomm Dragonwing QRB2210 SoC with quad Cortex-A53 CPUs at 2.0 GHz for high-performance processing.
• An STM32U585 MCU from STMicroelectronics to handle real-time control and Arduino Sketch compatibility.
• An Adreno 702 GPU for graphics acceleration and dual ISP capabilities for camera input.
• Debian-based Linux installation alongside the Zephyr real-time operating system for full flexibility.

Processing Power: Dual-Brain Architecture

The inclusion of both an MPU and MCU is what truly sets the UNO Q apart from other Arduino boards and many SBCs. The Qualcomm Dragonwing chipset delivers a powerful computing environment with 2GB or 4GB LPDDR4 RAM and 16GB or 32GB of eMMC storage, depending on the variant. This enables users to run Debian Linux directly on the board, eliminating the need for an external PC during development. With up to 64 GB storage expected in future versions, it’s scalable for more complex applications.

The STM32U585 MCU handles the board’s real-time functions and GPIO operations. It brings with it an ECC-protected 2MB flash memory, 786KB of SRAM, and supports a wide array of digital and analog I/O functions—just like classic Arduino boards. This ensures you can still build and control electronic projects while accessing more powerful computing tools.

Arduino Super Starter Kit Elegoo UNO R3 Project

AI and Edge Computing Abilities

One of the biggest highlights of the UNO Q is its built-in support for local AI processing. With the help of the Qualcomm Sensing Hub and integration with Edge Impulse—also recently acquired by Qualcomm—you can deploy models for facial recognition, speech detection, signal processing, and much more.

Pre-trained examples are included out of the box, allowing developers to quickly get started with edge AI applications. These models span use cases from home automation and environmental monitoring to robotics and intelligent assistants. The hardware acceleration provided by the CORDIC co-processor and FMAC (Filter Mathematical Accelerator) in the MCU speeds up complex mathematical calculations often needed in these tasks.

Graphics Capabilities and Multimedia

Thanks to the Dragonwing’s Adreno GPU and dual ISP support, the UNO Q can handle up to 1080p video at 30 frames per second, including concurrent encoding and decoding. It supports 720×1680 resolution displays and USB cameras via USB-C, with additional CSI and DSI connectors for more advanced configurations.

These features make the UNO Q viable for computer vision projects, real-time displays, and media analysis at the edge. Developers can also anticipate upcoming Arduino display boards, which will be released shortly.

Connectivity and Expansion

The UNO Q comes packed with both legacy headers and modern expansion ports. On top of the standard Arduino UNO header layout, it features:

• Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1 support.
• USB-C port for power, data, video out, and peripheral connection.
• Qwiic-compatible I2C connector for rapid sensor or module integration.
• High-density board-to-board connectors underneath for future expansion.
• JMEDIA header with MIPI DSI and CSI for video applications.

Whether you’re prototyping a sensor network, building a robot, or deploying an AI model at the edge, the UNO Q gives you the flexibility and bandwidth to do it.

Software Support: Introducing Arduino App Lab

Alongside the hardware, Arduino launched a new all-in-one development environment called App Lab. This versatile IDE can run directly on the UNO Q’s Linux side or be accessed from a host computer. With App Lab, you can develop using Arduino Sketches, Python scripts, or even deploy AI models—all within a single interface.

It also supports network-mode development, USB-C debug capabilities, and full integration with Edge Impulse for training custom AI models. Whether you’re new to coding or a seasoned developer, App Lab streamlines your workflows across both processors on the board.

Rich Peripheral & I/O Support

The STM32 microcontroller adds serious analog and digital capabilities:

• 14-bit ADC at 2.5 MSPS with oversampling.
• Dual 12-bit DACs and ultra-low power comparators.
• Integrated operational amplifiers with programmable gain.
• Up to 22 capacitive sensing channels for touch interfaces.
• Support for CAN FD, audio in/out, UART, SPI, I2C, I3C, PSSI, and GPIO with analog and PWM support.

The GPIO pins are 5V-tolerant, support various operating modes, and are designed to minimize power consumption in analog mode after reset. This high configurability ensures great versatility for developers working on everything from industrial automation to wearable devices.

Power Supply and Build Details

The UNO Q can be powered via USB-C or traditional headers, supporting flexible power input. It also provides secure boot, onboard protection against overcurrent, and digitally isolated reset options. A built-in LED matrix (8×13 format) and four RGB LEDs offer quick feedback and visual output options during development.

An integrated real-time clock, watchdog timers, and support for stop mode increase robustness for critical applications. With separate power domains for the digital and analog sections, the hardware is designed for precision and low-noise applications.

Open Source Commitment

Despite the Qualcomm acquisition, Arduino has vowed to maintain its open-source roots. All software is licensed under GPLv3 or MPL, while hardware schematics will be released under the Creative Commons CC BY-SA 4.0 license. That includes full rights for commercial usage and derivative works.

This ensures that developers, educators, and manufacturers can continue to build upon the UNO Q design without restrictive licenses.

Pricing & Availability

Two models are currently confirmed:

• 2GB RAM / 16GB eMMC: $44, shipping starts October 25th
• 4GB RAM / 32GB eMMC: $59, shipping by December

Buyers can find these versions at the Arduino Store, DigiKey, Mouser, and other authorized distributors. A 64GB model is under development, promising greater scalability for future applications.

The Arduino UNO Q represents a bold step in bringing advanced computing accessibility to the maker community. By merging Arduino’s simplicity with the capabilities of Linux computing and AI deployment, it is ideal for projects demanding hybrid functionality without a high cost. With robust hardware, open-source principles, and versatile development tools, it is undoubtedly the most advanced Arduino board ever released.