I always loved Arduino as it promoted a few core ideas (apps are highly portable, the environment is standardized over boards and devices) - this allows the hobbyist / stack overflow reader to make some awesome hacks in a few hours and really reduces the barrier to entry for maker projects. However, in the last few years, I've wanted a similar type of environment for all the Linux boards that now clutter my desk - the ability to run different apps on multiple boards without having to understand the depths of GPIO alternative function mapping and quirks of various distros.
Having a docker container approach where the app is sandboxed away is the right approach I think for this, but there should be a "standard API" as well put in place that the apps that be written against (and bindings to python, rust etc...) that is also emulated in a desktop or webpage environment. This container doesn't support any HDMI output or full Debian environment - just a basic API to start with. Add PIP/Cargo etc.. for advanced use cases. A movement away from Arduino might be around the corner if there is something as accessible but much more powerful available. The block is no doubt "power management" - suspending/hibernating Linux boards for battery operation etc...
I hacked up a version of resinOS last year (using Android as the base Linux port) and running docker on a root FS but never took it anywhere as the day job (a different kind of startup) takes most cycles still. Can't wait to install this later on a few Pi's :)
> A movement away from Arduino might be around the corner if there is something as accessible but much more powerful available. The block is no doubt "power management" - suspending/hibernating Linux boards for battery operation etc...
What are RasPi and similar boards lacking? Power management? Not enough GPIO pins?
>What are RasPi and similar boards lacking? Power management? Not enough GPIO pins?
For me its the ability to "blink" (sleep a designated time and then re-awaken for a brief burst of activity) and so perform some task for 6 months straight on a pair of alkaline AA batteries.
If you're looking for a sensor platform that will let you quickly deploy a sensor that will run for a few years on a pair of AAs, check out what we're putting together at Helium [1]. We just rolled out the presale of our Helium Atom Development Board [2] which uses the Atom - our drop in connectivity and compute module - as the basis for a sensor development board that is actually fit for production. The OS that runs on the module - cleverly named Helium OS [3] - is the basis for our edge programmability and abstracts the annoying, hard things like battery/power management, wireless, and security. Also OTA upgrades are built in. :)
Don't know if you'll still see this. Cool. But one thing. It would be easier for me to get a sign-off from management on a one time purchase of $10k than a $4/month recurring. Corporate sales is funny like that.
I always loved Arduino as it promoted a few core ideas (apps are highly portable, the environment is standardized over boards and devices) - this allows the hobbyist / stack overflow reader to make some awesome hacks in a few hours and really reduces the barrier to entry for maker projects. However, in the last few years, I've wanted a similar type of environment for all the Linux boards that now clutter my desk - the ability to run different apps on multiple boards without having to understand the depths of GPIO alternative function mapping and quirks of various distros.
Having a docker container approach where the app is sandboxed away is the right approach I think for this, but there should be a "standard API" as well put in place that the apps that be written against (and bindings to python, rust etc...) that is also emulated in a desktop or webpage environment. This container doesn't support any HDMI output or full Debian environment - just a basic API to start with. Add PIP/Cargo etc.. for advanced use cases. A movement away from Arduino might be around the corner if there is something as accessible but much more powerful available. The block is no doubt "power management" - suspending/hibernating Linux boards for battery operation etc...
I hacked up a version of resinOS last year (using Android as the base Linux port) and running docker on a root FS but never took it anywhere as the day job (a different kind of startup) takes most cycles still. Can't wait to install this later on a few Pi's :)