Why Many IoT Startups Still Opt for Hobbyist Boards like Arduino, ESP NodeMCU, or BeagleBone

Understanding the electronics startup industry from both a businessman and an engineer's perspective is crucial for anyone looking to navigate the rapidly evolving world of Internet of Things (IoT). Let's delve into the reasons why a significant number of startups continue to design products using hobbyist boards instead of more advanced development kits.

Businessman's Perspective

The Indian market, like many others, is highly cost-sensitive. While businessmen themselves may opt for premium smartphones, they aim to bring their products to the market at a significantly lower cost. This means deploying a product quickly and efficiently—often within the shortest possible timeframe. Speed-to-market is the name of the game, as early adoption can give these startups a significant edge.

Another key factor is the cost. Entrepreneurs want to keep their expenses to a minimum, especially when it comes to product development. Investing time and resources into customizing a new development board or processor is often seen as unnecessary if the existing board does the job. These hobbyist boards are designed to perform specific tasks effectively, and as long as they meet the functional requirements, businesses believe they can match the market prices with innovative business models and lean operations.

Moreover, the Indian startup ecosystem tends to focus on success stories. Many entrepreneurs start their ventures after witnessing the success of similar ventures on pitch competitions or other platforms. This success-driven model often results in a mindset that prioritizes quick wins over long-term investments. Training employees on advanced development boards is often seen as a luxury that can wait, given the rapid pace of development required.

Engineer's Perspective

For engineers, these hobbyist boards offer a level of convenience that is hard to match. The availability of pre-written code and extensive libraries makes the development process faster and more accessible. This is particularly important in a market where time-to-market is everything.

Unfortunately, this ease of use comes with its limitations. A substantial portion of engineers—only 1 in 50, in some situations—have knowledge of other controllers/boards beyond hobbyist boards. Basic technical skills are now more important due to the spoon-fed education system. When training is needed, many trainers lack the necessary experience with these advanced boards, making the process cumbersome.

Furthermore, the complexity of some advanced development boards can actually be a hinderance. Boards like the BeagleBone or ARM Snapdragon processors, while powerful, require more time to understand and implement. Building from scratch using these boards can take a lot longer, and the testing phase can be challenging due to the inherent complexity of IOT programming. The ease of hobbyist boards, on the other hand, makes prototyping and development faster and more straightforward.

Cost and Accessibility

A significant reason for the continued use of hobbyist boards is the cost factor. Boards like Arduino, ESP NodeMCU, and others are much cheaper when compared to more specialized development kits. For example, a development board powered by an ARM Snapdragon processor can easily cost thousands of dollars, which is prohibitive for many startups. Hobbyist boards, on the other hand, range from a few dollars up to a couple of hundred, making them an accessible option for those with limited budgets.

Additionally, the community support for these hobbyist boards is robust. The online community is active, with countless tutorials, forums, and libraries available for rapid prototyping. This support system is invaluable for startups that need to quickly iterate and refine their designs without extensive coding expertise.

Conclusion

While the world of IoT is constantly evolving, the choices made by many startups remain rooted in pragmatism and cost considerations. Hobbyist boards offer a balance of cost, convenience, and immediate usability that advanced development boards often cannot match. As the market matures and more resources become available, we may see a shift in these preferences. However, for now, the allure of cost savings and rapid prototyping continues to drive the use of hobbyist boards among many IoT startups.

Keywords: IoT startups, hobbyist boards, Arduino, ESP NodeMCU, BeagleBone

Article structure:

Introduction: Setting the stage for the discussion with an overview of the industry and the two perspectives to be addressed. Businessman's Perspective: Exploring the business drivers such as cost sensitivity, short go-to-market dates, and cost-cutting strategies. Engineer's Perspective: Addressing the technical and educational aspects, including ease of use, learning curves, and the availability of training. Cost and Accessibility: Highlighting the financial benefits and the robust community support that hobbyist boards provide. Conclusion: Summarizing the main arguments and providing a forward-looking view on the potential future of hobbyist board usage in the IoT ecosystem.