Qualcomm Acquires Arduino, An Open-Source DIY Electronics Platform
Qualcomm is acquiring Arduino into its fold, a move that brings together chip-making entity and a huge community of global tinkerers. While Arduino will keep its own name and work style, working with Qualcomm will bring new chances for electronics and AI growth.

By Himani Upadhyay

on October 8, 2025

Long seen as the engine behind mobile phones, Qualcomm is now venturing beyond the familiar turf. Its latest acquisition sees the company crossing into connected cars, wearable tech, even industrial robotics. It’s as if Qualcomm is laying railway tracks into sectors once thought distant, signalling new journeys ahead for the tech giant.

Arduino: Where Ideas Turn Electric
For years, Arduino has been the canvas for budding inventors and seasoned engineers alike. With thirty-three million developers in its fold, the platform sparks minds in classrooms, labs, and home workshops. Boards from Arduino are the playground for those shaping gadgets and robots, using hardware that doesn’t play favorites with any one chipmaker. This is where easy tools and creativity come together to start new ideas.


Independence Meets Collaboration
Even under Qualcomm’s umbrella, Arduino stands on its own two feet. The community still gets to choose chips from various brands; open-source values remain the bedrock. Company leaders have emphasized that the diversity and vibrance of Arduino won’t be watered down. Think of it as joining forces without losing identity, a handshake rather than a takeover.

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The Uno Q: A New Chapter
A new piece of hardware debuts alongside the deal: Arduino’s Uno Q board. This compact workhorse pairs a Qualcomm Dragonwing chip with a microcontroller, running Linux Debian and supporting lightweight AI. Plug in your keyboard, connect a screen and here’s a tool for builders who want their machines to see and react to the world around them. The preinstalled App Lab pulls coding and AI models together into one interface. Priced at $44, the Uno Q is ready for pre-order—perhaps the first ripple in a wave of new inventions.

What Changes for Developers?
– Faster access to advanced tools and chip technology is now on the table.
– Rapid prototyping and seamless AI integration are less of a pipe dream, more of a reality.
– A bigger stage for ideas; developers can build smarter devices, with fewer hurdles.
– Boards stay open to other chips, meaning innovation isn’t trapped inside a walled garden.

This partnership points to a simple truth: big chipmakers are now listening intently to open-source voices. With Qualcomm and Arduino working together, expect the journey from sketchbook to working prototype to feel more like a sprint than a marathon. For educators and engineers, it’s a fresh wind for their sails, moving ideas forward at the speed of imagination.