Imagination Launches ‘IoT In A Box’ Kickstarter

UK-based Imagination Technologies has launched a Kickstarter for the Creator Ci40, described as “the ultimate IoT-in-a-box dev kit”.

The kit includes:

• A powerful IoT hub, the Creator Ci40 development boardintegrates a 550 MHz dual-core, dual-threaded MIPS CPU running OpenWrt and a multi-standard connectivity package (802.11ac 2×2, Bluetooth 4.1, 802.15.4, fast Ethernet), with room for further expansion
• Two battery-powered MikroElektronika Clicker™ boardsfeaturing a dedicated 6LoWPAN chip and the mikroBUS™ socket for adding sensors
• Three MikroElektronika Click boards™for measuring temperature, detecting motion, and controlling a relay (hundreds of other Click boards are available from MikroElektronika)

The Creator Ci40 development board acts as the central hub, connecting all other IoT add-ons with its dual-core and dual-threaded 550MHz MIPS InterAptiv CPU. The board’s Ensigma connectivity engine supports 802.11ac 2×2 MIMO WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1.

The additional boards include two MikroElektronika Clickers, each with a 32-bit Microchip controller, mikroProg connector, USB connector, LEDs, push and reset buttons, and external electronics interfacing headers. The boards can standalone, powered by two AAA batteries.

The development supports three open source operating systems – OpenWRT router OS, Google’s Brillo, and a Debian Linux distro – plus Buildroot, which can compile embedded Linux systems, while the expansion boards run the Contiki real-time OS.

The Creator Ci40 is already over one-quarter the way to its £20,000 goal, having raised £5,617 at time of writing. The development board is available for those that pledge £35 (plus £5 shipping), while the full kit, including expansion boards, can be purchased for a pledge of £80 (plus £12 shipping).