For fast and iteratively prototyping solutions requiring devices with networking capabilities and application-specific hardware components, the Raspberry Pi is my platform of choice. I’ve deployed Raspberry Pis everywhere, for everything.
But Raspberry Pi and most of its related products are not really up to the challenges of deployment outside of a lab environment, exposed to the cruelties of the real world. When going through the process of making a Raspberry Pi-based IoT device that's up to this purpose, substantial resources are invested in components that are non-essential to the core of the solution itself. That's why I made Edgeberry; an expansion suite for Raspberry Pi, optimizing its suitability for deployment in the real world.
A Solid Foundation ...Designed for the Raspberry Pi's B model - the single-board computer loved for its consistency throughout its iterations and its proven reliability as a multi-purpose Linux system, the Edgeberry ecosystem adds essential components for using it as an IoT device: the Edgeberry Base Board is equipped with a reliable power system, user interface features, while keeping as much as possible of the Raspberry Pi's GPIO pins available for your application's specific hardware through it's vertical Hardware Cartridge slot. All this designed to fit a simple yet robust enclosure to protect your system from environmental challenges.
The Edgeberry Device Software makes it easy to check in on your devices status, on premise as well as remotely using the online Device Management Dashboard. With these generic components taken care of by the Edgeberry ecosystem, you can direct all your focus to the specifics of your solution.
Edgeberry is an open source project, made with open-source and freely available tools (e.g. KiCad, FreeCAD,...), contributing to the customizability, repairability and democratization of powerful, modern IoT solutions. The Edgeberry project lives on GitHub, with Reddit as the platform of choice for community interaction.
... For Your IoT IdeaWith the Edgeberry ecosystem taking care of several universal challenges when using Raspberry Pi in a real-world situation, you can fully focus on the specifics of your application.
For your application-specific hardware you can select an existing Edgeberry Hardware Cartridge that fits your project's needs, or easily design your own using the Hardware Cartridge design template in KiCad.
Developing the application-specific software for your Raspberry Pi is exactly the same as you're used to. Additionally, with the Edgeberry SDK you can interface your application with the Edgeberry Device Software on your device. This software manages the user interface features, as well as the connection to the online Device Management Dashboard.
The Edgeberry Enclosure is designed for 3D printing, and is available on Thingiverse. The FreeCAD design files are included in the repository on GitHub, so you can, for example, put your project's logo on the Enclosure (and here's how!).
Next time your Raspberry Pi-based project is destined to leave the safety of the lab, save yourself tons of trouble by equipping it Edgeberry. And if you like this project, please give it the thumbs up! <3
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