IoT dev kit

[alin_im]

Hey guys,

I am looking for an affordable (100 pounds range) internet of things development board. Do you have an idea of one

[LA7SJA]

Try her:http://postscapes.com/internet-of-things-hardware or http://blog.atmel.com/2015/04/09/25-dev-boards-to-help-you-get-started-on-your-next-iot-project/ and this http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/embedded/products/galileo/galileo-overview.html or http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/do-it-yourself/edison.html. You do not state the platform you can program (ARM, PIC32, Atmel32...) or the need for sensors, user interface needs or any thing else so it's a bit dificult to give you any good advice. 

Johan-Fredrik

[tszaboo]

You take any of the zigbee/wifi/RFM24/BLM wireless development kit, put a buzzword to it, and suddenly it becomes IoT development kit.
But if you dont want to DIY the IoT into the part, then try this:
http://www.ti.com/tool/cc2650stk

[alin_im]

I really do not know what sensors i will use because I am trying to find a platform for my final year project. I have different types at home from arduino and I can adapt them for other platforms.
I was thinking about using Arduino Yun or Raspbbery PI 2 with Windows 10 IoT edition.
Also the Edison and Galileo looks good but I am afraid they are too complex for my current knowledge in this MCUs field (I worked with arduino, raspbbery PI, Matrix Dev Kit for PIC and some silicon labs dev kits).
I post this on EEVBlog because I wanted to know what is the most use platform and also has the most documentation about it and a good community.
Does anyone tried RPI2 with Windows 10 IoT ?

[tszaboo]

Does anyone tried RPI2 with Windows 10 IoT ?

Since it is not out yet, I'm guessing no.

[alin_im]

Does anyone tried RPI2 with Windows 10 IoT ?

Since it is not out yet, I'm guessing no.

http://ms-iot.github.io/content/en-US/win10/SetupRPI.htm here is the setup for Windows 10 IoT

[amwales]

Do a quick google for esp8266 I think you will be a little shocked with what you find.
You should find some for < £2

[alin_im]

Do a quick google for esp8266 I think you will be a little shocked with what you find.
You should find some for < £2

I know this modules, I think they have a different type of communication than wireless 802.11 protocol.
I do not think that this can be paired with Android through wireless for example.
I think they communicate only between them. Correct me if I am wrong.

[Richard Crowley]

I know this modules, I think they have a different type of communication than wireless 802.11 protocol.
I do not think that this can be paired with Android through wireless for example.
I think they communicate only between them. Correct me if I am wrong.

My understanding is that this chip can communicate with any ordinary WiFi.
It appears to have open-source WiFi stack and development infrastructure.
And it is almost unbelievably cheap.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESP8266
http://www.adafruit.com/products/2491
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13231

[alin_im]

I know this modules, I think they have a different type of communication than wireless 802.11 protocol.
I do not think that this can be paired with Android through wireless for example.
I think they communicate only between them. Correct me if I am wrong.

My understanding is that this chip can communicate with any ordinary WiFi.
It appears to have open-source WiFi stack and development infrastructure.
And it is almost unbelievably cheap.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESP8266
http://www.adafruit.com/products/2491
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13231

You are right, I thought that is like NRF24L01...

[kripton2035]

I know this modules, I think they have a different type of communication than wireless 802.11 protocol.
I do not think that this can be paired with Android through wireless for example.
I think they communicate only between them. Correct me if I am wrong.

My understanding is that this chip can communicate with any ordinary WiFi.
It appears to have open-source WiFi stack and development infrastructure.
And it is almost unbelievably cheap.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESP8266
http://www.adafruit.com/products/2491
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13231

+++++++1

[kripton2035]

I know this modules, I think they have a different type of communication than wireless 802.11 protocol.
I do not think that this can be paired with Android through wireless for example.
I think they communicate only between them. Correct me if I am wrong.

My understanding is that this chip can communicate with any ordinary WiFi.
It appears to have open-source WiFi stack and development infrastructure.
And it is almost unbelievably cheap.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESP8266
http://www.adafruit.com/products/2491
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13231

You are right, I thought that is like NRF24L01...

esp8266 is a wifi chip, works with any wifi computer, phone, tablet, you name it.
NRF24 is 2.4GHz but not wifi, works only with another NRF on the other side (but consumes really less than an esp8266 so ok for low current projects)

[TJ232]

I must admit I had a lot of fun lately with ESP8266, it's a nice and also cheap WIFI SOC (Espressif ESP8266 Details here)

I don't see it yet prepared for a full commercial mass product environment, technical documentation is somehow limited (limited to none ! ) in some directions (as SSL or code protection for example).

If you use search you will find a lot more about ESP8266 here on the forum. Many people, including me, have posted their own experience about, from the Dannyf inspired Cheap and Dirty Development Board to the more advanced ESP8266 Evo Board that was build as a learning IOT platform

In terms of programming, you can use almost anything from ESP8266 SDK in Eclipse, LUA interpreter (NodeMCU) and even Arduino IDE, BASIC, etc, just name it

[tszaboo]

Does anyone tried RPI2 with Windows 10 IoT ?

Since it is not out yet, I'm guessing no.

http://ms-iot.github.io/content/en-US/win10/SetupRPI.htm here is the setup for Windows 10 IoT

So it's been around for 2 weeks now. I've looked it up, they say it is useless, lacks all the features.
Still we have no idea what you are trying to do, do you?

[neslekkim]

Lacks all features?, well, for people thinking it is an runnable windows with gui and so on, yes it lacks features..

But you can do lot of stuff with it:
http://www.hanselman.com/blog/Windows10IoTCoreControllingARaspberryPi2Robot.aspx

[tszaboo]

Lacks all features?, well, for people thinking it is an runnable windows with gui and so on, yes it lacks features..

But you can do lot of stuff with it:
http://www.hanselman.com/blog/Windows10IoTCoreControllingARaspberryPi2Robot.aspx

Like no UART, most USB Wifi not supported, no I2S, no Camera and so on. It  is not just about not being able to use it as a desktop replacement.

[alin_im]

I must admit I had a lot of fun lately with ESP8266, it's a nice and also cheap WIFI SOC (Espressif ESP8266 Details here)

I don't see it yet prepared for a full commercial mass product environment, technical documentation is somehow limited (limited to none ! ) in some directions (as SSL or code protection for example).

If you use search you will find a lot more about ESP8266 here on the forum. Many people, including me, have posted their own experience about, from the Dannyf inspired Cheap and Dirty Development Board to the more advanced ESP8266 Evo Board that was build as a learning IOT platform

In terms of programming, you can use almost anything from ESP8266 SDK in Eclipse, LUA interpreter (NodeMCU) and even Arduino IDE, BASIC, etc, just name it

Thank you for your thoughts, I really like the idea of the ESP8266 and I will sure take in consideration to buy one. But I am trying to find something for my final year project. If the university requires a more professional development platform I think I will go with Intel Edison. But for me, for my hobbie I would love to try this cheap platform (ESP8266 )

[alin_im]

Lacks all features?, well, for people thinking it is an runnable windows with gui and so on, yes it lacks features..

But you can do lot of stuff with it:
http://www.hanselman.com/blog/Windows10IoTCoreControllingARaspberryPi2Robot.aspx

Like no UART, most USB Wifi not supported, no I2S, no Camera and so on. It  is not just about not being able to use it as a desktop replacement.

Anyway I do not think I will purchase the new RPI2 because I already have a RPI B+ and I really do not need to upgrade, because I am at the beginning of learning Linux and I am not using the full capacity of my module so I need to upgrade. Plus the other choices, I find them more attractive because they are in a smaller form factor ( ESP8266 / intel Edison ).

[Morgoroth]

take a look for CC3200 Textas Instrument LaunchPad, they use Energia (arduino IDE clone) with almost same libraries as Arduino, 30 dollars include wifi, fast processor (80MHz), good examples and you can debug using same USB connector to power it if you use Code Composer Studio (Eclipse), and is free.

And you programm RedBearLab Wifi Units as well with same tool, and you can add a nice and cheap BLE unit to conect a tabler or your phone and make a nice IoT project.

good luck with your project.

M

[alin_im]

Thank you all for your thoughts, now I really have a good starting point for my project. Now I need to read about each platform and make a list with pros and cons 

[Richard Crowley]

I found this quite interesting...

https://youtu.be/gtM832Z0ujE

[alin_im]

OP,

Before we can give a good suggestion, first we need to know what you want to make. Whether you want it to be WiFi, BT or proprietary wireless?
Do you need a complicated device that need RTOS?
Do you want to work upon Linux or you prefer to play with bare metal?
Knowing these can we (at least me) give better suggestions.




Regards,
Bo

I would like to have WiFi and BT protocols integrated, I would prefer to program a microcontroller  with Arduino IDE, but I can also use a device that has Linux.

The project itself, I do not know what will be exactly but I do not think it will be something very complex, but it will be about the principles and idea of IoT and also something applied ( I do not know what this applied thing will be yet).

To give you an idea about something applied, I would say a Smart Fridge that knows everything it has in it and when will expires, also you can tell it what type of food you want and it will display a list of ingredients with what you have and what you need to buy. The display part will be done by an Android Phone. Now, because I write this I think I will need something based on Linux that is connected to Google to search for recipes.
THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE !

I think Intel Edison is the best platform for what I want. What do you think what are your suggestions ?

[TJ232]

take a look for CC3200 Textas Instrument LaunchPad, they use Energia (arduino IDE clone) with almost same libraries as Arduino, 30 dollars include wifi, fast processor (80MHz), good examples and you can debug using same USB connector to power it if you use Code Composer Studio (Eclipse), and is free.

And you programm RedBearLab Wifi Units as well with same tool, and you can add a nice and cheap BLE unit to conect a tabler or your phone and make a nice IoT project.

good luck with your project.

M

I will strongly suggest you to take a DEEP and CAREFUL look on the information's about the TI CC3XXX family before even thinking to touch them !

TI makes great things, including MSP430 family. Did I said great? Sorry. BRILIANT! 

BUT CC3XXX...god help us!

[Morgoroth]

take a look for CC3200 Textas Instrument LaunchPad, they use Energia (arduino IDE clone) with almost same libraries as Arduino, 30 dollars include wifi, fast processor (80MHz), good examples and you can debug using same USB connector to power it if you use Code Composer Studio (Eclipse), and is free.

And you programm RedBearLab Wifi Units as well with same tool, and you can add a nice and cheap BLE unit to conect a tabler or your phone and make a nice IoT project.

good luck with your project.

M

I will strongly suggest you to take a DEEP and CAREFUL look on the information's about the TI CC3XXX family before even thinking to touch them !

TI makes great things, including MSP430 family. Did I said great? Sorry. BRILIANT! 

BUT CC3XXX...god help us!

If you want to make something serious like integrate a RTOS for a demanding real time task... yeah, is not the best option. But is not the point here, he need an entry/cheap development board able to make a IoT project, without frustration in the process.

And seems like CC3200 don't show all the problems that have CC3100, probably TI wanted/need a fresh start with this line of IoT chips.

JP

[katzohki]

Yeah I would also throw my hat into the ring for TI's Launchpad stuff. They specifically have some dev boards geared towards IoT and I've personally played around with the MSP430 one with an LCD (whichever that was, it was like 10$).

In fact, Dave did a video on one of TI's IoT Launchpad devices:


If I recall correctly, he was able to set up a web page displaying button presses in an afternoon with it.

[kripton2035]

I personnaly dont like things that need to connect to the manufacturer's home to work ...

[Richard Crowley]

I personnaly dont like things that need to connect to the manufacturer's home to work ...

YES, many of us have that same aversion.  Like the Electric Imp, et.al.

[Scrts]

Have a look here:
http://www.ingenic.com/en/?newton/id/7.html
http://www.ingenic.com/en/?newton/id/1.html
http://www.ingenic.com/en/?newton/id/9.html

[Richard Crowley]

Have a look here:
http://www.ingenic.com/en/?newton/id/7.html
http://www.ingenic.com/en/?newton/id/1.html
http://www.ingenic.com/en/?newton/id/9.html

Yeah, so what?  Just another wi-fi dev board.
Ho hum, throw it on the pile of vaporware.
Unless they are actually selling them somewhere at decent prices?