Low-cost single-board microcontrollers have been widely used in physical product development. They allow rapid fabrication and evaluation of working prototypes and are sometimes sufficient to demonstrate what a “real” device might look like, or how it might perform.
Arduino is an open-source brand that has thoroughly dominated the hobbyist market; it’s so popular that the word has become shorthand for the entire category of devices. In reality, the category is broad and includes products ranging from professional development boards to entry-level devices that are little more than toys. But even entry-level offerings have some undeniable virtues:
- Mass-produced
- Thoroughly debugged
- Cost effective
- Huge (usually open-source) library of software/firmware.
So it’s reasonable to ask: “Why not use an Arduino for high-volume production?”
When to use an Arduino
The answer is that it depends on your product and your business. This table navigates the variables.
| Arduino | Custom Electronics | |
|---|---|---|
| Development Budget | Cheaper | More expensive |
| Production Quantity | Good at low volumes | Better at high volumes |
| Physical Size | Best for larger devices | Best for compact devices |
| Time To Market | Much faster | Slower |
| Reliability | Fragile | Resilient |
| Security | More vulnerable | Less vulnerable |
| Feature Integration | Very limited | Unlimited |
Development Budget
If your development budget is very limited then using an Arduino may be the only option. Other risks become irrelevant if an Arduino is the only thing you can afford.
Production Quantity
The labor to engineer custom electronics is amortized across the life of the product. If you only plan to sell 100 devices then an Arduino can be very attractive. If you intend to sell 100,000 units then custom electronics usually make more sense.
Physical Size
An Arduino may be physically small, but it requires a lot of space to implement it. A custom PCB can be designed to achieve the desired size and shape of the overall product. The PCB in your smartphone or TV remote are great examples: connectors, lights, camera, and buttons all integrated into one PCB.
Time To Market
Electronics development can be time consuming. Using an Arduino will speed up the New Product Development process, both engineering development and initial production.
Reliability
Most Single Board Controllers (especially at the hobbyist level) are vulnerable to electrical faults. A voltage-excursion, electrostatic discharge, or reverse polarity can restart or even “brick” an Arduino device. Custom-designed PCBs are designed to withstand these scenarios.
Security
Open source hardware and firmware sounds like a great idea… until somebody hacks your device. There is less you can do to protect your intellectual property if the “brain” of your device is a widely-available commodity.
Feature Integration
Arduinos can incorporate a lot of functionality: Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, and perhaps motion-sensing. But they cannot incorporate all functionality for every application. Arduino must rely on ancillary electronics to take measurements, switch power, or control actuators. A custom control board, on the other hand, can be designed to accomplish every needed function on a single PCB.
It’s reasonable to ask: “Why not use an Arduino for high-volume production?”
Ideal Arduino Use Cases
A great application for an Arduino would be:
- A relatively large device.
- A device with a benign operating environment.
- Scenarios with low production volumes.
- Cases where a controller is not critical to regulatory approval or to intellectual property.
On the other hand, a custom controller makes more sense for:
- Compact devices.
- Devices operating in a potentially challenging environment.
- Devices that require functions not typically found on Single Board Controllers (e.g., Digital Signal Processing).
- High anticipated production volumes.
- An embedded control strategy that is valuable or proprietary.
Final Thoughts
Every project is different, and each deserves an impartial evaluation. Porticos can help you figure out which strategy is right for your product. Reach out and let us help you figure out an approach that aligns with your goals and your business plan.
