The Intel Curie module will soon debut on the Arduino 101 development board

In January this year, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich showcased the Intel Curie. This Quark-based module is the company’s low-power, 32-bit computing platform that is the size of a button. According to Intel, the Quark-based, low-power, computing platform can be operated for long periods of time with a coin-sized battery due to its power efficiency. It is targeted at companies looking to develop wearable technology solutions.

Fast forward to October this year, the Arduino 101 development board will be the “first widely available” product to feature the Intel Curie module. In terms of hardware specifications, Curie sports 384kB of flash memory and 80kB of SRAM. It houses a 6-axis combo sensor with accelerometer and gyroscope, and supports Bluetooth LE for wireless connectivity.

By combining the Arduino 101 and the Intel Curie, it may appear strange that Intel seems to be targeting the hobbyist and education communities. Even before the advent of Intel Curie, Arduino has been the leading open-source hardware platform manufacturer for the communities. According to The Verge, who asked why the debut of Intel Curie is on the Arduino development board, and not on a smart wearable device, they were told by Intel senior research scientist, Jay Melican that the introduction of the Curie platform was to mark the team’s first-to-market efforts. The Arduino 101 is slated for release in Q1 of 2016, with an SRP of US$30. Outside the United States, Arduino 101 will be marketed as Genuino 101.

(Source: Intel (1), (2), (3), The Verge)

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