The Raspberry Pi fundation, a nonprofit organization, has brought a low cost ARM Linux platform to the masses, and Arduino already did that with electronics, but Harold Timmis, an engineer, found out it was still not cheap enough as he worked as a volunteer teaching electronics at his library. So he (and others) decided to clone Arduino Leonardo, setup a website called Borderless Electronics, and sell it without profit via Indiegogo for just $9 ($12 including shipping).
The board is indeed the same as Arduino Leonardo with different color, logo, and name:
- Microcontroller – Atmel ATmega32u4 @ 16 MHz
- SRAM – 2.5 KB onchip (ATmega32u4)
- Flash Memory – 32 KB onchip (ATmega32u4) of which 4 KB used by bootloader
- EEPROM – 1 KB onchip (ATmega32u4)
- Operating Voltage – 5V
- Input Voltage – (recommended) 7-12V | (limits) 6-20V
- Digital I/O – 20 pins
- PWM – 7 channels
- Analog Input – 12 channels
- DC Current per I/O Pin – 40 mA
- DC Current for 3.3V Pin – 50 mA
What’s more, the $9 does not only include the board, as a snap connector for 9V battery will be provided following a first stretch goal. The second stretch goal ($60,000) would add the following components if it can be reached:- 6 x LEDs (2 x red 2 x yellow 2 x green)
- 6 x resistors for the LEDs
- 1 x photoresistor and pairing resistor
- 1 x buzzer
- 1 x set of jumper wire (10pcs)
- 1 x mini solderless breadboard
The campaign has already received over $30,000 in pledges, and with 22 days to go this seems perfectly achievable. If you want to donate to a school, there are also pledges for 50 and 100 boards, for $500 and $990 respectively that include shipping via DHL or UPS. Lower pledges will be shipped via Hong Kong Post’s registered mail. The kits will be manufactured as soon as the campaign completes, should ship in September 2013, so you may received them in September (Courier) or October (Registered mail).
Thanks to onebir.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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