Qualcomm acquires open source pioneer Arduino to bridge 33-million-strong developer ecosystem with high-performance AI hardware.
Qualcomm has acquired Arduino, the Italian not-for-profit firm renowned for its open-source hardware and software used in building prototypes of robots and electronic gadgets. The deal gives Qualcomm access to one of the largest open source hardware communities in existence, with over 33 million developers worldwide.
San Diego-based Qualcomm, traditionally known for its smartphone chips, is accelerating its diversification strategy with this acquisition, moving deeper into connected vehicles, wireless earphones, laptops, and industrial machines. The integration of Arduino marks a decisive step toward bridging open source innovation with Qualcomm’s proprietary processing power.
Crucially, Arduino will retain its independent brand, tools, and mission, ensuring continuity of its open-source ethos even as it gains access to Qualcomm’s industrial-grade hardware and global reach. Arduino’s platforms are widely used by students in schools and universities to learn programming and electronics, as well as by engineers for rapid prototyping of devices.
Both companies affirmed that Arduino’s hardware and software will remain compatible with chips from multiple providers, continuing its inclusive approach to open development.
As part of the deal, Qualcomm will launch a new Arduino development board powered by its ‘Dragonwing’ processor, designed for robots requiring high computational performance alongside real-time control. It will also debut ‘AppLab’, a new coding tool to help Arduino developers bridge the gap between robotics programming and artificial intelligence systems.
The terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed, but the move underscores Qualcomm’s intent to foster a collaborative open source ecosystem rather than a closed hardware model.
