Introducing the RDINO-2040

For years, Arduino Uno form factor enjoyed widespread popularity thanks to the vast range of accessories available for it. However, with time, robotics and internet of things applications outgrew 8-bit MCUs used in Uno boards. This problem was solved by designing a new board with the same dimensions, while providing a modern multi-microcontroller architecture to cope with any task ahead of it.

Why Two Microcontrollers? Reasons Behind the Design Choice

When it comes to competing line follower robots, micromice racing through mazes or fast rc cars, timing is of the essence here. You don’t want your robot to lag behind due to the time spent on sending data via Bluetooth or executing some server requests.

This is why our board features two microcontrollers – the main brain is an RP2040 with an additional 16Mbit flash memory, which takes care of time-sensitive tasks like processing a complex array of sensors or performing necessary PID calculations to control motors. Simultaneously, all other processes, including routine or blocking ones are delegated to an onboard ESP32-C3 MCU which, among other things, provides wireless connectivity with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Functionality & Features

In addition to the dual-chip technology, the board comes with an abundance of quality of life features:

1) 5x5 NeoPixel Grid: In the center of the board is a grid of 25 addressable WS2812B LEDs. Sure, it looks cool, but it serves a useful purpose as well. If your robot happens to be in motion, you don’t have access to the serial monitor, and you need some debugging information, that’s exactly what this grid is here for – showing sensor readings, battery levels, or navigation arrows.

2) Uno Compatibility: The pinout of the board corresponds perfectly to that of the Uno R3, thus allowing you to use this new board in your current chassis configurations without any adapter plates or jumper wires.

Aesthetics & Design

Visually speaking, the RDINO-2040 is simply stunning. With its matte black finish on the board and beautiful white silkscreening, it looks more professional and luxurious than you can imagine. Instead of simply looking good because it’s made well, it comes with quirky and unique silkscreen artwork—an image of a person meditating around traces of the circuitry—adding its own style to this “Edu Board.” All of the routing is done professionally and the components are laid out thoughtfully, creating an even balance of weight from the microcontrollers on the left side and the LED matrix on the right side.

It’s a board that’s built by a fan of the Arduino who wants its simplicity but still needs all the speed and connectivity for serious projects.