Qualcomm Acquires Arduino to Enter Robotics Space

Qualcomm has announced its acquisition of Italy-based Arduino, the popular electronics maker. The company did not disclose the deal’s value. Arduino will operate as an independent Qualcomm subsidiary.

The acquisition gives Qualcomm direct access to hobbyists, startups, and developers at the entry-level of robotics. Arduino’s programmable boards are widely used in prototyping new ideas and testing AI-powered devices.

What Arduino Brings to Qualcomm

Arduino boards are common in robotics labs and hardware startups for proof-of-concept projects. The company plans to integrate its chips into Arduino products, starting with the new Uno Q board.

The Uno Q, priced between $45 and $55, features Qualcomm’s Dragonwing QRB2210 processor. It can run Linux, support Arduino software, and handle computer vision tasks. Previously, Arduino boards used microcontrollers from companies like STMicroelectronics and NXP.

This integration allows the company to engage early with innovators before their ideas scale to commercial products.

Expanding AI and IoT Opportunities

Qualcomm is diversifying beyond mobile chips and modems. Its automotive and IoT divisions already contribute nearly 30% of chip revenue. Acquiring Arduino strengthens Qualcomm’s foothold in AI-driven robotics.

Currently, Qualcomm chips are not easily accessible to smaller developers. Arduino’s ecosystem bridges that gap, making Qualcomm’s processors available to hobbyists and startups. This strategy mirrors Nvidia’s approach, where affordable robotics developer kits fuel growth.

Keeping Arduino’s Ecosystem Intact

The company emphasizes minimal changes to Arduino’s operations. Management and developer communities will remain independent.

“Our success is when Arduino users feel no change in ownership,” said Nakul Duggal, Qualcomm’s GM for automotive, industrial, and embedded IoT.

The acquisition complements Qualcomm’s other recent purchases, including Foundries.io and Edge Impulse, aimed at serving robotics developers.

Future Impact on Robotics Innovation

The company hopes Arduino will help it gain loyalty among the next generation of robot builders. Early exposure to Qualcomm chips may lead to commercial adoption in advanced AI robotics.

The company aims to support humanoid robots, which demand high AI computing power, similar to self-driving cars. Arduino now becomes a strategic entry point to accelerate innovation at the grassroots level.