Flexibility and technology is as excellent a combination as peanut butter and jelly, or bacon and anything. The UDOO, pronounced “you-do,” exemplifies this combination; it's a powerful mini-PC that harnesses the power of four Raspberry Pi computers and an Arduino Due microcontroller board, to create a prototyping board with the best characteristics of either. It can run both the Android Ice Cream Sandwich and Linux operating systems. The board is a brilliant platform for DIY projects, or the rapid prototyping of software development or design projects; it's so easy to use that one can have it up running within a few simple steps.
The scope of UDOO is to create a new paradigm where interactive technology is incorporated into education, both on a hobbyist and classroom level, to spawn a new generation of engineers, software developers, and designers. This is made possible by the low-cost nature of the device – the dual core Wi-Fi-enabled version of the module will retail upon release for around $109, with another $20 for a quad-core upgrade.
Flexibility: dual operating systems .
UDOO is designed to be a very flexible multi-platform solution; it supports Android, Linux, Arduino, and Google ADK2012, thus allowing users to explore the growing relevancy of the Internet of Things: the growing database of everyday objects represented digitally on the Internet that are also interconnected with one another.
The combination of an Arduino coupled with either the Android or Linux OS allows hobbyists to tackle projects without needing to concern themselves over linking both platforms or their wiring. Swapping between the Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich and Linux is as easy as changing the micro SD cards onto which they are installed.
Prototyping
Rapid-prototyping is an excellent method for generating new technological and designs. UDOO simplifies this process through its broad toolkit. The device can be used to develop prototypes based on the Android platform or in combination with ADK2012.
Specs
UDOO features the whole shebang: a 1-GHz ARM cortex-A9 CPU in either a dual- or quad core configuration, 1 GB of DDR3 RAM, Arduino Due-compatible digital and analog I/O, full HDMI video output with touch display support, Ethernet connection and a Wi-Fi module, two mini USB and two standard USB ports, Analog Audio and Mic, SATA, camera connection, a micro SD socket, and a power supply.
User sensor shields in conjunction with UDOO to create all manners of controllers.
A community effort
The overall vision of UDOO centers on an educational and professional community where users can share projects as well as engage in educational or competitive events hosted by the design team. Resources and step-by-step guides for all levels of proficiency are also available on the UDOO website. UDOO can be configured to any skill level, even if one lacks programming or electronic skills.
Low-cost hardware allows teachers to incorporate electronics into classrooms by using a platform such as UDOO as a hands-on approach to teaching students programming and hardware development.
UDOO is an advance tool that is to be appreciated by amateurs and experts alike, regardless of expertise. The only difference being that advanced users may not find it necessary to partake in the community learning projects.
Visit UDOO's Kickstarter page for additional information.
By Maximilian Teodorescu
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