Electronics and Robotics: 5 Open Source Hardware Projects
In the Linux universe, not everything is software, although there are application and system developments for almost every type of field, need, and problem. Therefore, it's also important to mention that there are "open-source hardware projects focused on multiple scenarios, one of which stands out: teaching and learning electronics and robotics ." These projects are expressed or manifested through the development and use of electronic boards that allow the creation of all kinds of gadgets and tools for diverse purposes, both educational, commercial, and professional.
Consequently, just as there is free and open-source software and free and open-source hardware , we can also affirm that there is a field of open-source electronics and robotics . This field could be defined as encompassing the design, development, and distribution of hardware, software, and electronic documentation under open-source licenses. Therefore, just as open-source software projects offer free access to their code, open-source electronics and robotics projects share their circuit diagrams, PCB designs, firmware, mechanical/robotic parts, and other essential resources. And it is precisely this openness that allows others to view, modify, and adapt the designs to meet their own needs.
But before we delve into this post about these interesting and useful "open source hardware projects for learning and teaching electronics and robotics ," we recommend exploring a previous post related to this type of project after you finish reading this one:
3 open-source hardware projects for learning and teaching electronics and robotics
Arduino
Arduino is an open-source project that offers an electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. Arduino boards can read inputs (such as light from a sensor, a button press, or an X/Twitter message) and convert them into outputs, such as activating a motor, turning on an LED, or publishing content online. You can tell the board what to do by sending a set of instructions to its built-in microcontroller using the Arduino programming language (based on Wiring) and the Arduino software (IDE), based on Processing. Over the years, Arduino has been the brains behind thousands of projects, from everyday objects to complex scientific instruments. A global community of makers—students, hobbyists, artists, programmers, and professionals—has grown up around this open-source platform, and their contributions have generated a vast amount of accessible knowledge, useful for both beginners and experts. Explore the Repository , Simulator , Documentation , and Official Projects
- Most well-known license plates currently: Ventuno, Uno, Uno Q, Giga/Mega, Nano, Portenta, NICLA, Opta, Alvik, Kits and Modulino.
- Official software: Arduino IDE, Arduino App Lab, Arduino CLI, Arduino Lab for MicroPython and Arduino Cloud on Chromebook.
Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi is an open-source project that offers an electronic platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. However, to be more specific, it's worth mentioning that this project actually combines a free software ecosystem with a closed hardware design. Therefore, on the one hand, the operating system software used is a Debian GNU/Linux derivative that allows modification and adaptation of its code. Furthermore, the foundation, which manages the project, freely releases most of its programs, libraries, and documentation. Additionally, users in its community create, modify, and share applications without restrictions in the virtual environment. On the other hand, the hardware used comprises printed circuit boards and detailed manufacturing diagrams that are closed-source and proprietary. This also includes the chips, since the processors and main components belong to private manufacturers (such as Broadcom) and their designs are kept secret. Finally, it is also worth differentiating the following: The project encompasses two fundamental types of boards, the first, the Raspberry Pi which is a complete miniature single-board computer, and the second, the Raspberry Pi Pico, which is a small board with a low-cost microcontroller designed to control electronic components.
- Most well-known license plates currently: Raspberry Pi 5, Raspberry Pi 500+, Raspberry Pi Compute Module, Raspberry Pi Zero, Raspberry Pi Pico 1, Raspberry Pi Pico 2.
- Official softwareRaspberry Pi Imager, Raspberry Pi OS and Raspberry Pi Connect.
ESP32 (Espressif)
ESP32 is an open-source project that offers an electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. However, to be more specific, it's worth mentioning that while the internal design of the chip is proprietary, its entire ecosystem and development boards are open source. Therefore, it is currently considered the undisputed leader in the Internet of Things (IoT) field due to its native integration of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, power management, and other system functions at a very low cost. Essentially, ESP32 is a single-chip system (board) that integrates the following features: Wi-Fi (2,4 GHz band), Bluetooth, two high-performance 32-bit Xtensa® LX6 CPU cores, an ultra-low-power coprocessor, and multiple peripherals. Thanks to its 40 nm technology, it offers excellent energy efficiency, radio frequency performance, security, and reliability, making it suitable for a wide range of application scenarios and power consumption requirements. In addition, their development company (Espressif) provides excellent basic hardware and software resources to help application developers bring their ideas to life using said hardware.
- Most well-known license plates currently: ESP32 Series, ESP32-DevKitC, ESP32-DevKitM y ESP32-PICO-DevKitM-2.
- Official software: ESP-IDF, IDF Component Manager and ESP-IoT-Solution.
Other interesting open-source and commercial hardware projects in electronics and robotics
- Micro:BitIt's a project dDesigned specifically for digital literacy in children and adolescents worldwide, it offers electronic cards that...They include an LED matrix, buttons, and integrated sensors. Furthermore, they can be programmed visually using blocks, facilitating the transition to written code.
- Adafruit Circuit PlaygroundIt is a project founded by one of the greatest pioneers of Open Source Hardware (OSHW) globally called Adafruit, which highlights its ecosystem of educational boards called Circuit Playground, which are circular in shape and include dozens of sensors, buttons, and RGB LEDs integrated on the same board. It is designed so that students can learn to program and assemble circuits (technology wearable) without needing to use a soldering iron or cables from minute one.
Best free, open-source EDA and similar software, online and for computers and mobile devices
Finally, if electronics and robotics are truly your passion, here's a great list of online and installable resources (for computers and mobile devices) related to Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software. This software offers a set of computational tools that allow students and professionals in this technological field to design, simulate, study, and verify electronic and even robotic systems of almost any level of complexity.
for computers
- Atopile
- pen
- circuit diagram
- CircuitMaker
- Electric
- eSim
- Fritzing
- Gerbv
- Gpsim
- Glogic
- GTKWave
- Gwave
- Horizon EDA
- Kicad
- Klayout
- KTechlab
- labplot
- FreePCB
- Logisim
- ltspice
- MyNetPCB
- Ngspice
- PicoScope
- PICSimLab
- Open Circuit Design
- oregano
- OSS CAD Suite
- PCB Elegance
- QElectroTech
- QUCS
- Qucs-S (Qucs Spice)
- QucsStudio
- Ringdove EDA
- Simulator Online 8gwifi (Electric Circuit)
- Simulide
- Tauno Serial Plotter
- TinyCAD
- Xoscope
For mobile
- Arduino Simulator
- Breadpad – Spice Simulator
- CircuitTry3D-Circuit Simulator
- CRUMB
- Digital Circuit Simulator
- EveryCircuit
- Proto
- Logic circuit simulator
- Vibeblocks: AI Coding Lab App
- VoltSim
Online
- circuit lab
- CirKit Designer
- EDA Playground
- EveryCircuit
- Microsoft MakeCode Maker
- MasterPLC
- Picuino Circuits
- Simulator
- Simulator Online 8gwifi (Arduino, ESP32, Raspberri)
- Tinkercad
- TSCircuit
- Velxio
- Xplore
- Withdiode
- wokwi
Best free, open-source educational robotics programs
- ArdublockVisual programming environment for Arduino IDE, ideal for beginners.
- Arduino IDE: Open source programming suite for creating SW for Arduino boards.
- Arduino Blocks: Online platform that uses blocks (in the style of Scratch) to move robots.
- Hello Blocks!: Programming language designed to learn about programming and robotics.
- jderobot: Open toolkit for the development of Robotics applications.
- MakeBlock: A set of software tools for learning and implementing educational robotics.
- Microblocks: A cross-platform, block-based programming language inspired by Scratch.
- OpenBot: Platform for creating mobile robots based on Android smartphones.
- OpenCV: Open libraries for Computer Vision and Machine Learning software.
- Open Roberta Lab: Creating robot programs using the drag and drop method.
- RoboBlocky: Online platform that uses blocks (in the style of Scratch) to move robots.
- RoboMindProgramming language for learning about programming, robotics and AI.
- ROS: Operating System for Robots for commercial and industrial purposes.
- Scratch for Arduino (S4A)A modification of Scratch for programming on Arduino.
- STEAMakersBlocks (ArduinoBlocks): Online platform that uses blocks (in the style of Scratch).
- STEAMakersBlocks – ConnectorSoftware for connecting and programming STEAMakers boards/robots.
- Webots: Free, open and cross-platform 3D robot simulator for educational purposes.
Summary
In summary, we hope that these "open-source hardware projects for learning and teaching electronics and educational robotics" that we've presented today, including projects like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP32, Micro:Bit, and Adafruit , will expand the knowledge and possibilities of those passionate about this field. This is especially true for teachers and students of electronics and educational robotics. And if you know of any other alternative and independent open-source hardware projects (electronic and robotic boards) that are truly worth exploring, trying, enjoying, and recommending, we invite you to mention them in the comments so we can cover them in a future post.
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