Arduino Unveils Ventuno Q Board for Powerful Robot Control with AI Capabilities
Arduino has introduced a new board that enables the control of robots with the help of AI without the reliance on cloud services. The company took advantage of the Embedded World event to announce the Ventuno Q, a cutting-edge device capable of running AI tasks independently. The new board follows in the footsteps of the UNO Q, integrating a hybrid architecture with a Qualcomm chip and robust software specifications.
The Ventuno Q features the Qualcomm Dragonwing IQ8 processor, specifically designed to execute language and vision models natively. This means that robots using this board do not need to be connected to the internet to interpret instructions. The board’s advanced capabilities allow for comprehension of spoken and written language, object recognition, and environment mapping using its onboard hardware.
Architecturally, the Ventuno Q employs a dual-brain system similar to the UNO Q. It combines a main processing unit with an NPU offering up to 40 TOPS for AI tasks, alongside an STM32H5 microcontroller responsible for critical control to prevent algorithm processing from interfering with essential functions like security or robot movement.
Setting it apart from the previous Arduino board released in late 2025, the Ventuno Q boasts 16 GB of RAM and 64 GB of expandable storage, a significant upgrade from the UNO Q’s 2 GB of RAM and up to 32 GB of storage. These enhancements are necessary to meet the demands of robots and AI models.
What distinguishes the Ventuno Q from a single-board computer like those commonly used in prototyping is its focus on physical action. While a Raspberry Pi is typically general-purpose, the new Arduino board integrates native industrial interfaces like CAN-FD, PWM, and GPIO, enabling seamless interaction with machines, motors, and control systems in robotic environments.
CAN-FD is a communication bus facilitating rapid and smooth communication between sensors, actuators, and controllers. PWM is a technique for precise regulation of motor speed or signal intensity, while GPIO pins allow the Ventuno Q to read sensors or activate actuators with minimal response times.
In terms of software, Arduino has opted for a hybrid structure, with the main processor running Linux distributions and the real-time microcontroller utilizing the Arduino core on Zephyr OS. This combination allows developers to choose between Python or C++ as needed and leverage the Qualcomm AI Hub to integrate gesture recognition, posture estimation, and more models.
Additionally, the Ventuno Q includes 2.5GB Ethernet and high-speed MIPI-CSI camera connectors. The board is compatible with UNO family shields, Qwiic sensors, and supports Raspberry Pi HATs, facilitating users who already possess these components.
Arduino has confirmed that the Ventuno Q will be available in the second quarter of 2026 through the Arduino store, DigiKey, or Mouser. While detailed pricing information is not yet available, it is anticipated to be below $300.
