Qualcomm has announced the acquisition of Arduino, the Italian open-source electronics company best known for its widely used microcontroller boards and software platform.

The deal, revealed on Tuesday, aims to expand Qualcomm’s presence in robotics, industrial automation, and edge computing.

While financial details were not disclosed, industry analysts say the move could help Qualcomm strengthen its position in the fast-growing Internet of Things (IoT) and AI-driven hardware markets.

Under the agreement, Arduino will continue to operate under its own brand and maintain its open-source philosophy.

Qualcomm said the partnership will enable it to combine its advanced chip technology with Arduino’s large community of over 33 million developers worldwide.

A new generation of development tools and boards powered by Qualcomm’s “Dragonwing” processors is expected to be launched in the coming months.

The acquisition comes at a time when semiconductor firms are increasingly targeting the developer and education markets to drive adoption of their platforms.

Arduino’s products are used extensively in schools, research labs, and prototype design, offering Qualcomm a new channel to engage with innovators early in the design process. The company also plans to introduce “AppLab,” a software platform designed to bridge robotics and AI applications.

Both companies stressed that Arduino’s hardware will remain compatible with multiple chip architectures, not just Qualcomm’s. This decision is seen as an effort to reassure the global maker and developer community that Arduino will retain its open and accessible ecosystem. Qualcomm’s leadership noted that maintaining that inclusivity is key to fostering innovation and sustaining trust among users.

Industry observers view the acquisition as part of Qualcomm’s broader strategy to diversify beyond smartphones and 5G technology. By integrating Arduino’s open-source tools with its own AI and connectivity solutions, Qualcomm hopes to accelerate the development of intelligent devices across sectors ranging from consumer electronics to industrial systems.

Source: Reuters.