RS signs exclusive distribution agreement with Arduino

RS Components on March 8 announced that it has signed an agreement to become the exclusive official global catalogue distributor for the cult Arduino electronics prototyping platform for creating interactive objects or environments. Since it emerged from the Interaction Design Institute in Ivrea, Italy, Arduino has acquired a strong following as a simple, powerful, cost-effective control interface and over 50,000 boards have already been shipped worldwide.

Arduino is a tool for the design and development of embedded computer systems, consisting of a simple open hardware design for a single-board microcontroller, with embedded I/O support and a standard programming language. The Arduino programming language is based on Wiring and is essentially C/C++.

Commenting for RS Components, Glenn Jarrett, Head of Electronics Marketing said: “RS is delighted to support the Arduino project by taking this open hardware and open source software concept to the global market.” He continued: “The Arduino board is so straightforward and easy to program that it is accessible to engineers with no prior experience, but at the same time offers enough performance and capability to address complex tasks. Arduino is a really important tool that engineers everywhere are looking at and in particular we believe will engage the next generation of engineers.”

Massimo Banzi, co-founder for Arduino, said: “The RS website is the first stop for engineers around the world seeking tools and technologies for their next project. Its ability to deliver any of those tools and technologies to the bench the next day is legendary. A major goal of the Arduino project is to make our tools accessible and the unrivalled reach of RS’ marketing and logistics truly takes our technology to the world’s electronics engineering professionals.”

RS Components Arduino stock profile includes the Duemilanove MCU board based on the Atmega328, ZigBee and Ethernet Shield boards and workshop kits containing all the components required to begin prototyping. The profile is now live on the RS Component website throughout Europe, and is being rolled out across the globe.