In a historic move coinciding with India’s Republic Day celebrations, Arduino has unveiled its first-ever Made-in-India development boards, the UNO Ek R4 WiFi and UNO Ek R4 Minima. Designed to empower India’s vibrant maker and engineering community, these boards bring together the powerful features of the Arduino UNO R4 with the added benefits of local manufacturing, affordability, and dedicated support for Indian users.
The Meaning Behind UNO Ek R4
The name “UNO Ek R4” is a perfect fusion of Arduino’s global legacy and India’s cultural roots. “Ek,” meaning “one” in Hindi, symbolizes unity, simplicity, and the foundational role of the Arduino UNO in countless maker projects worldwide.
Celebrating Innovation in India
The launch of the UNO Ek R4 boards aligns with India’s ambitious Make in India initiative, which aims to position the country as a global design and manufacturing hub. These boards were officially unveiled at the prestigious World Economic Forum 2025 in Davos, where Arduino’s leadership team, led by CEO Fabio Violante and SVP Guneet Bedi, presented them to Union Electronics and IT Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Mr. Jayant Chaudhary.
Highlighting the significance of this milestone, Fabio Violante remarked, “Arduino’s decision to manufacture in India reflects the nation’s immense potential as a rising global leader in technology. This step embodies our deep belief in the power of collaboration and community.”
India, ranked second globally for Arduino IDE downloads, is home to a rapidly growing community of makers, students, and professionals. The unveiling of these boards underscores India’s role as a hub of technological innovation and STEM education.
Why Choose the UNO Ek R4?
The UNO Ek R4 WiFi and UNO Ek R4 Minima offer the same cutting-edge performance as their global counterparts, featuring a 32-bit microprocessor with enhanced speed, memory, and connectivity options. However, the Made-in-India variants come with distinct advantages:
- Faster Delivery: Locally manufactured boards ensure reduced lead times for projects of all sizes.
- Affordable Pricing: Genuine Arduino products at competitive prices, tailored for the Indian market.
- Local Support: Indian users gain access to dedicated technical assistance along with Arduino’s extensive global resources.
- Sustainable Manufacturing: Ethically produced with eco-friendly packaging, adhering to SA8000 and FSC standards.
Guneet Bedi emphasized, “By adding the Arduino UNO Ek R4 WiFi and Arduino UNO Ek R4 Minima to our product line, Arduino is helping drive adoption of connected devices and STEM education around the world.”
Inspiring the Next Wave of Innovation
From grassroots hardware tinkering to advanced IoT and AI applications, the UNO Ek R4 boards are set to revolutionize India’s maker ecosystem. They cater to educational institutions, hobbyists, and industry professionals alike, enabling quicker prototyping and sparking creativity across the country.
These boards symbolize a commitment to fostering innovation, not just within India but globally, reflecting the true spirit of the open-source movement.
Availability
The UNO Ek R4 WiFi and UNO Ek R4 Minima will be available through authorized distributors across India. Stay tuned for updates and sign up to be among the first to get your hands on these game-changing boards.
As the world embraces open-source technology, the launch of the UNO Ek R4 boards solidifies India’s position as a leader in technological advancement, proving that innovation truly starts with “Ek.”