Arduino has announced the launch of two new boards: Arduino UNO एक R4 WiFi and Arduino UNO एक R4 Minima on the occasion of India’s Republic Day, which is celebrated annually on the 26th of January.
“Manufactured under the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, these boards symbolize a commitment to boosting local manufacturing capabilities and empowering a global community of makers, students, and professionals”, states their official announcement. Kaynes Technology is Arduino’s EMS partner, and has the mandate to manufacture these two boards for India.
The Arduino UNO एक R4 WiFi and Arduino UNO एक R4 Minima were officially unveiled at a landmark event during the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 in Davos. Led by Fabio Violante, CEO, and Guneet Bedi, SVP and General Manager of the Americas, the Arduino leadership team proudly presented the new boards to Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s incumbent Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, and Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (IC) for the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. Nivruti Rai, MD and CEO Invest India shared, “The launch of Arduino एक R4 on Republic Day is a testament to the technological strides India has made in the global arena. These new boards are not just tools for creation; they represent the innovative spirit of a new India.”
According to community statistics shared by the Arduino team, India ranks second in the world in Arduino IDE downloads, proving that the country is home to a rapidly growing community of makers, students, and professionals. “Arduino’s decision to manufacture in India is a great example of the country’s potential as a global technology leader,” stated Fabio Violante, CEO of Arduino.
AND, THE TWO NEW BOARDS
Together, Arduino UNO एक R4 WiFi and Arduino UNO एक R4 Minima are designed to cater to a wide range of users: from the beginner just starting out in the world of electronics, all the way up to the seasoned innovator working on the most advanced projects.
As the word “Minima” suggests, Arduino UNO एक R4 Minima is the more basic model (hence cheaper) which is ideal for prototyping and learning, offering all the essential functions for simple projects. It features the RA4M1 microcontroller (a 32-bit microcontroller) and offers compatibility with Arduino UNO R3, enhanced features like DAC, CAN, and OpAmp, and full compatibility with standard Arduino libraries and shields.
Arduino® UNO एक R4 WiFi is the more advanced board, which as its name suggests support Wi-Fi connectivity along with Bluetooth. Hence, it’s perfect for IoT applications. This board also boasts of backward compatibility with existing UNO shields and projects. It also “seamlessly integrates with Arduino Cloud” claims the press release.
“By adding the Arduino UNO एक R4 WiFi and Arduino UNO एक R4 Minima to our product line, Arduino is helping to drive adoption of connected devices and STEM education around the world,” clarified Guneet Bedi.
Arduino UNO एक R4 WiFi and Arduino UNO एक R4 Minima will initially be available through authorized distributors in India. No information was offered about the pricing of these boards or exact date of availability in the market, but the same is expected to be made public soon. And, these boards have been introduced for the India market only.
