Revolutionize the Projects: Discover the Power of Single Board Computers

The demand for single board computers (SBCs) is surging globally due to their compact design, affordability, and versatility in a broad range of applications. One of the primary drivers is the rising interest in the Internet of Things (IoT), where SBCs act as the brains of connected devices, delivering necessary computational power without the bulk or cost of conventional computers. In 2023 alone, more than 15 million SBCs were combined into IoT solutions worldwide.

Educational institutions are important contributors to this demand, as SBCs like the Raspberry Pi offer a practical tool for teaching programming and electronics, with almost 5,000 schools adopting these devices in their curricula. Furthermore, hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts are adopting SBCs for projects ranging from home automation to robotics, propelled by an increasing availability of online tutorials and community support, which now comprises more than 2 million active forums and user groups.

The economic structure of the single board computer ecosystem is still evolving, and a report by Astute Analytica projects that the?global single board computer market is expected to reach a market size of US$ 7,486.1 Million by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 9.3% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2032.

A brief about the market: -

Key end users in the single-board computer market include engineers, educators, students, and hobbyists, as well as industries like healthcare, automotive, and telecommunications aiming to incorporate IoT solutions. In the automotive sector, SBCs are utilized in developing and prototyping in-car entertainment systems and advanced driver-assistance systems, with more than 3,000 automotive projects reported in 2023. Recent developments in this space include the introduction of more powerful SBCs with improved processing abilities and enhanced energy efficiency, such as Nvidia's Jetson series, which is created for AI and machine learning applications.

The healthcare industry has integrated SBCs into more than 1,500 medical devices, reflecting their crucial role in modern technology. Also, the open-source movement has led to the development of customizable SBC platforms, allowing users to change software and hardware according to certain requirements, with more than 200 open-source SBC designs available.

Consumers in the single board computer market are responding positively to these advancements, as evidenced by the constant sell-out of new SBC models shortly after release. According to market research, global shipments of SBCs surpassed 40 million units in 2023, reflecting a robust growth trajectory. The education sector purchased more than 12 million units, emphasizing the significance of SBCs in STEM learning, with 500 new educational programs launched globally. The hobbyist market saw the sale of 8 million units, highlighting their popularity for personal projects, with more than 1 million maker kits sold.

In the industrial sector, SBCs accounted for 10 million units, with more than 5,000 companies adopting them for IoT applications. With these trends, the market outlook for SBCs remains strong, with projections estimating global shipments to surpass 50 million units by 2025. The rising ecosystem of accessories and add-ons for SBCs is also expected to bolster demand, delivering users more functionality and ease of integration into different applications, with 1,000 new accessory types released in the past year.?

Increasing Automation in Industries, Rising Demand for IoT Devices

The demand for the single board computer market is significantly propelled by the growing automation across different industries and the growing demand for IoT devices. In the manufacturing sector alone, it is estimated that about 50 billion connected devices will be in service by 2030, highlighting the crucial role IoT is playing in industrial automation. The automotive industry is another major adopter, with projections indicating that approximately 70 million vehicles will be fitted with IoT abilities by 2025.

Healthcare, too, is witnessing a surge in IoT adoption, with about 30 million IoT devices anticipated to be deployed in medical facilities by 2025 to enhance patient diagnostics and monitoring. Meanwhile, the global market for industrial automation is estimated to reach a value of US$ 250 billion by 2025, indicative of the widespread investment in automation technologies.

In tandem with these advancements, the global market is poised to flourish, as these compact computers are integral to the functionality of IoT devices. For instance, in the smart home sector, it is predicted that 1.5 billion IoT devices, such as smart thermostats and lighting systems, will be in use by 2025, all requiring robust computing solutions like SBCs to function seamlessly.

Furthermore, the agriculture industry is anticipated to deploy 75 million IoT devices by 2025 for precision farming, leveraging SBCs for data processing and decision-making. The retail sector, too, is expected to use 100 million IoT devices by 2025 for inventory management and customer analytics, again depending on SBCs to handle the data influx. These statistics emphasize the symbiotic relationship between the burgeoning IoT terrain and the growing dependence on SBCs as a fundamental technology enabler.

Growing Popularity of Edge Computing Intensifying Demand for Compact Solutions

The escalating popularity of edge computing is reshaping the technological terrain of the single board computer market, propelling demand for compact computing solutions like single board computers (SBCs). By 2025, the global edge computing market is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 61 billion, illustrating the rapid adoption of this technology. With over 75 billion IoT devices anticipated to be connected worldwide by 2025, the need for local data processing is becoming increasingly critical.

In the telecommunication sector, it is estimated that more than 10,000 edge data centers will be functional by 2030 to accommodate the extensive amount of data generated. The usage of SBCs is pivotal in this context, delivering the necessary computational power in a compact form factor, essential for edge applications.

Moreover, the edge computing trend in the single board computer market is being propelled by the demand for low-latency processing, with forecasts suggesting that by 2025, 90% of industrial enterprises will use edge computing to improve functional efficiency. In the context of smart cities, it is expected that 600 million people will benefit from edge-enabled services by 2025, emphasizing the real-world impact of this trend. The automotive sector is also a significant contributor, with predictions indicating that 60 million connected cars will depend on edge computing for real-time data processing by 2025.

Furthermore, by 2025, the global market for smart home devices is anticipated to reach 1.2 billion units, many of which will incorporate edge computing abilities. These statistics highlight the important role of SBCs in allowing edge computing solutions, encouraging the shift towards decentralized data processing.

Recent Launches: -

In 2024, Open hardware specialist PINE64 launched a new single-board computer, hitting a sub-US$ 15 price point for the "community edition" by trimming a few parts: the Quartz64 Zero. "It is capable of driving a single 4k display at 60fps and the GPU utilizes the open source Panfrost driver," PINE64 writes of its latest single-board computer design, brought to the attention by?CNX Software. "It also has the advantage of running very cool, even without a heatsink and under a sustained load. The Quartz64 Zero is a low-cost board suitable for different commercial project applications and guarantees supply for at least until the year 2028." Open hardware specialist PINE64 has launched a new single-board computer, hitting a sub-US$ 15 price point for the "community edition" by trimming a few parts: the Quartz64 Zero. The new Zero is far from the first entry in the Quartz64 family. Back in 2021?the company launched its first version, the Quartz64 Model A — followed in June of the following year?by the Model B, both?considerably delayed?due to component shortage problems. The Quartz64 Zero, though, is the lowest-cost model in the range — reached by leaving a fair number of footprints unpopulated.

In 2024, Raspberry Pi Pico 2 is a single-board computer built on RP2350, its new high-performance, secure microcontroller platform. It builds on the victory of the first-generation Raspberry Pi Pico products, which together have shipped more than 3.5 million units since launch in January 2021. The company says the new release ‘produces a significant performance and feature-set upgrade while maintaining software and hardware compatibility.’ Compared to the existing RP2040 microcontroller, the RP2350 delivers faster processors, more memory, upgraded interfacing abilities, and new security features. These are extensively documented and available to all users without restriction, allowing professional customers to integrate RP2350 and Raspberry Pi Pico 2 into their products with confidence, the company stresses. The launch of Raspberry Pi Pico 2, and RP2350, supports the company’s strategy to increase volumes by improving the feature and performance sets of its products in the Enthusiast and Education, Industrial and Embedded, and semiconductor markets.

Closing Note: -

As people navigate the dynamic terrain of technology, single board computers (SBCs) stand out as a transformative force, propelling innovation across a multitude of sectors. From fueling the next wave of IoT devices and educational tools to advancing industrial automation and edge computing, SBCs are at the heart of this revolution. The impressive development in SBC adoption, evidenced by more than 40 million units shipped globally in 2023 and the surge in new product releases, highlights their important role in shaping the technological future.

In this ever-evolving landscape, one thing remains clear: Single-board computers are not just a trend but a cornerstone of modern technology, poised to allow the next generation of digital advancements. Adopt the power of SBCs today and be part of the journey that is revolutionizing the way people learn, connect, and create.