Qualcomm acquires Italian hardware company Arduino to push deeper into robotics

Qualcomm is making a strategic move to deepen its involvement in the robotics sector by acquiring Arduino, a well-known Italian electronics manufacturer. Announced on Tuesday, this acquisition is aimed at tapping into the burgeoning field of robotics by leveraging Arduino's popular programmable circuit boards and computers, which are widely used in prototyping and by hardware startups. While Qualcomm has not disclosed the financial details of the acquisition, it has stated that Arduino will operate as an independent subsidiary. This partnership provides Qualcomm with direct access to hobbyists, innovators, and companies at the grassroots level of robotics development. Although Arduino’s products are not intended for commercial applications, they serve as essential tools for testing ideas and validating concepts. With the increasing demand for advanced chips in robotic applications, Qualcomm is positioning itself to gain greater loyalty and credibility among startups and creators in the robotics field. According to Nakul Duggal, Qualcomm’s general manager for automotive, industrial, and embedded IoT, the goal is to support developers from the prototyping stage to commercial product launches, an area where Qualcomm has significant expertise. As Qualcomm seeks to broaden its revenue streams beyond mobile chips and modems—especially as the smartphone market shows signs of stagnation—it recognizes the potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) and automotive sectors. In the last quarter, Qualcomm reported that its IoT and automotive business segments contributed approximately 30% to its overall chip sales revenue. Access to Qualcomm’s chips has traditionally been challenging for smaller developers, as they are mainly available in bulk to larger enterprises. However, competitors like Nvidia have introduced developer kits for robotics that are accessible to individual buyers. Qualcomm aims to change this dynamic, having previously acquired companies such as Foundries.io and Edge Impulse to strengthen its position in the robotics market. A key highlight of this acquisition is Arduino's upcoming release of the Uno Q board, featuring the Qualcomm Dragonwing QRB2210 processor. Priced between $45 and $55, this innovative board can run Linux and Arduino software while also enabling computer vision capabilities, a significant upgrade from existing Arduino boards that utilize less powerful microcontrollers. Qualcomm's approach will ensure that existing Arduino products, which rely on chips from other manufacturers, will continue to be sold through the Arduino platform. Duggal emphasized that maintaining the continuity of Arduino’s operations and developer community is crucial, stating that the transition should be seamless for users. As Qualcomm advances in the robotics space, the company envisions a future where it plays a significant role in powering humanoid robots, akin to the demands of autonomous vehicles for AI processing power.