Invent the Future with Arduino UNO Q and App Lab

Overview "> Arduino and Qualcomm kick off Hackster’s first competition of 2026! We’re teaming up with Edge Impulse , Foundries , and an incredible lineup of ecosystem partners HuggingFace, SparkFun, Seeed Studio, Farnell, and STMicroelectronics to bring to life the year’s greatest contest for developers everywhere. And here’s the best part: We’re giving away 300 UNO Q boards to help you bring your ideas to life! This is your chance to push boundaries, create something extraordinary, and inspire the future of connected intelligence. Whether you’re into AI, IoT, edge computing, or just love building cool stuff, this contest is for you. Top 5 Reasons to Get Excited About UNO Q + App Lab 1. Dual-brain power: UNO Q combines a Qualcomm Dragonwing™ QRB2210MPU running Linux with an STM32 MCU for real-time control perfect for AI, IoT, and robotics. 2. Hybrid development made simple: Use AppLab to seamlessly mix Arduino sketches, Python scripts, and AI models in one workflow. Program the MCU with Arduino IDE and the MPU with Linux tools. 3. AI and edge computing ready: Built for machine learning at the edge , with native integration for Edge Impulse and support for computer vision, audio ML, and HuggingFace models. 4. Rich connectivity & expansion: Enjoy Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, HDMI, USB-C , camera/display connectors, plus classic Arduino headers and Qwiic for sensors. 5. Rapid prototyping with Bricks: AppLab’s modular “Bricks” lets you add AI, web UIs, and APIs fast accelerating your path from idea to working prototype. Ready to make your mark? Join us and let’s build the next big thing together! Pitch and Build Your Boldest Ideas — and Win Big! We’re giving away 300 Arduino UNO Q (4GB) boards to help you kickstart your vision or grab one now and get a head start! We’re on the hunt for groundbreaking solutions that harness the power of Arduino UNO Q to tackle real-world challenges in robotics, home automation, gaming, industrial IoT, and social impact . There are no limits —we want to see your most innovative ideas, powered by AI, come to life. What’s in it for you? Global spotlight for your project Generous cash prizes Best in Show: a paid trip to Maker Faire Rome 2026 to show & share This is your platform to showcase creativity, technical mastery, and problem-solving skills . Ready to make your mark? Join the contest and build the future! "> Your Arduino UNO Q project could be addressing any of these scenarios: Industrial IoT Smart Predictive Maintenance System: Monitors vibration, temperature, and motor current in industrial machines using sensors connected to UNO Q. Use AI models (via Edge Impulse) to predict failures before they happen, reducing downtime and saving costs. Add a dashboard in App Lab for real-time alerts and analytics and even connect with AWS Greengrass for extra points. AI-Powered Energy Optimization: Tracks energy consumption across factory equipment and uses machine learning to optimize usage during peak hours. Combines IoT sensors with AI to cut energy bills and reduce carbon footprint. Integrate with cloud services (AWS or Arduino Cloud) for remote monitoring. Autonomous Quality Control Station: Uses a camera module with UNO Q to inspect products on a conveyor belt for defects using computer vision. Brings AI-driven quality assurance to small-scale manufacturing without expensive hardware. Display results on an HDMI screen and log data to AppLab for analysis. Home Automation AI-Powered Smart Security Hub: Use a camera and motion sensors to detect people, pets, or packages at your door. AI models classify events and send alerts to your phone. Combine computer vision with real-time control for lights or alarms. Integrates with AppLab for a custom dashboard. Add voice control via HuggingFace models for natural interaction. Intelligent Energy Management System: Monitors energy usage of appliances and optimizes schedules based on patterns and peak hours. Use ML to predict consumption and reduce costs. Can integrate with AWS or Arduino Cloud for remote control. Add a web UI in AppLab for live stats and control. Adaptive Climate Control: Track temperature, humidity, and occupancy to adjust HVAC systems dynamically. Use AI to learn user preferences and environmental conditions for maximum comfort and efficiency. Add predictive maintenance for HVAC units using Edge Impulse models. Robotics Autonomous Delivery Robot: Navigate indoor or outdoor environments using cameras and sensors, powered by UNO Q’s AI capabilities. Combine computer vision for obstacle detection with real-time motor control for smooth navigation. Use App Lab for remote monitoring and route planning via a web dashboard. AI-Powered Robotic Arm: Performs pick-and-place tasks with precision, learning from user input and optimizing movements using ML. Great for industrial automation or maker projects—integrates Edge Impulse for gesture recognition or object classification. Add HDMI output for a live control interface and cloud connectivity for remote operation. Social Assistance Robot: Interacts with users using voice and vision, recognizing faces and responding to commands. Use HuggingFace models for natural language processing and UNO Q’s dual-core architecture for real-time responses. Use AppLab to build a custom UI for managing interactions and logging data. Gaming AI-Powered Retro Gaming Console: Turn UNO Q into a mini console running classic games with AI enhancements, like adaptive difficulty or voice-controlled menus. Combine Linux-based emulation with Arduino hardware for custom controllers and LED effects. Use AppLab to build a game launcher UI and integrate cloud leaderboards. Smart Multiplayer Arcade Cabinet: Create a connected arcade experience where players can compete remotely. UNO Q handles game logic and real-time networking. Add IoT features like score syncing, live chat, and AI-driven matchmaking. Include HDMI output for big-screen play and Bluetooth for wireless controllers. Mixed-Reality Gaming Robot: A robot that interacts with players in physical space while syncing with a digital game. Think laser tag meets AR. Use computer vision for tracking and AI for dynamic gameplay, blending physical and virtual worlds. Harness AppLab to host the game dashboard and manage multiplayer sessions. Social Impact AI-Powered Wildlife Monitoring System: Deploys cameras and acoustic sensors in natural habitats to detect and classify species using Edge Impulse ML models. Help conservationists track endangered species and prevent poaching in real time. Use AppLab to build a dashboard for live data visualization and alerts. Smart Climate Data Logger: Collect temperature, humidity, and air quality data from remote areas and upload it to the cloud for analysis. Support climate research and disaster prediction with low-cost, scalable IoT nodes. Integrate predictive analytics to forecast environmental changes. Community Water Quality Monitor: Measures pH, turbidity, and contaminants in local water so