What Is an Open Source ARM Motherboard? Benefits & Use Cases
As embedded systems become more intelligent, flexible, and connected, developers are increasingly looking for ways to build products with greater transparency, control, and adaptability. One solution gaining momentum across industries is the open source ARM motherboard.
Combining the efficiency and scalability of ARM architecture with the flexibility of open hardware, these boards empower developers, engineers, and innovators to build smarter, faster, and more secure systems — without being locked into proprietary platforms.
In this article, we’ll explore what open source ARM motherboards are, how they work, their key advantages, and the industries and applications where they shine.
What Does “Open Source” Mean for Motherboards?
In computing, “open source” often refers to software — but in the hardware world, it means that the design and implementation of a motherboard are transparent and publicly accessible.
An open source ARM motherboard typically includes:
- Open schematics and PCB layouts
- Open-source bootloaders and firmware (like U-Boot or Coreboot)
- Open software support — Linux, Android, FreeRTOS
- Community-maintained drivers and tools
By removing proprietary barriers, these boards allow anyone to study, modify, and improve the hardware and software stack — making them ideal for prototyping, secure applications, and long-term deployments.
Why ARM Architecture?
ARM processors dominate the embedded and mobile markets due to their low power consumption, performance-per-watt advantage, and licensing flexibility.
Key reasons ARM is preferred in open source hardware:
| Feature | Benefit |
| Power Efficiency | Ideal for battery-powered and fanless devices |
| Scalability | Used in everything from IoT nodes to edge AI |
| Wide OS Support | Linux, Android, and lightweight RTOS options |
| Flexible SoC Vendors | NXP, Rockchip, Allwinner, TI, and more |
ARM’s modular licensing also means multiple manufacturers can create SoCs and development boards with varying degrees of openness, giving developers more choices.
Core Features of Open Source ARM Motherboards
Let’s take a closer look at what makes an ARM motherboard “open source” — beyond just schematics.
🔌 Transparent Hardware Design
Open source boards typically publish:
- Complete schematics and board layout files
- BOM (Bill of Materials)
- Mechanical drawings for enclosures or mounts
- Expansion interface pinouts (GPIO, I2C, SPI, UART)
This allows OEMs and engineers to:
- Create customized hardware versions
- Design add-on modules or daughterboards
- Audit the hardware for quality and compliance
💻 Open Bootloaders and Firmware
Instead of locked BIOS or UEFI, open source ARM boards use:
- U-Boot for Linux-based systems
- Coreboot for security-focused applications
- TF-A or OP-TEE for trusted execution environments
This means you can modify startup behavior, enable secure boot, or boot from custom storage devices.
🐧 Linux and Android Compatibility
Most open ARM boards support:
- Mainline Linux kernel or BSP (Board Support Package)
- Debian, Ubuntu, Yocto Project, and Buildroot
- Android 7–13, especially for touch-based UIs
- Real-time operating systems (FreeRTOS) for industrial applications
Many boards are even pre-integrated with ROS (Robot Operating System) or TensorFlow Lite for AI/robotics use.
🛠 Customization and Developer Control
Unlike proprietary motherboards that restrict firmware and software customization, open source ARM boards give full control over:
- Bootloader parameters
- Kernel modules and drivers
- GPIO behavior and peripheral support
- Memory and storage options
This is invaluable when building tailored systems or deploying hardware at scale.
Benefits of Open Source ARM Motherboards
Whether you’re building a proof-of-concept or scaling an industrial solution, the benefits of open hardware are both technical and strategic.
✅ Full Hardware Transparency
In industries like defense, finance, and healthcare, security and compliance require knowing exactly what’s running in the system.
Open boards:
- Reduce supply chain risks
- Allow full security audits
- Enable trust in firmware and silicon
✅ Lower Development Cost
With free access to schematics, firmware, and OS support:
- No licensing fees for firmware
- Reduced NRE (non-recurring engineering)
- Faster prototyping with available CAD files
Combined with ARM’s energy efficiency, this leads to lower BOM and TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).
✅ Customization Without Vendor Lock-In
Need a different connector or a new I/O config?
With open source designs, you can:
- Fork an existing layout
- Adapt firmware for your use case
- Maintain your own long-term software support
This is critical for products with long life cycles or regulatory constraints.
✅ Strong Community and Ecosystem
Open boards like the BeagleBone, Pine64, and Libre Computer benefit from active developer communities. You get:
- Shared bug fixes and enhancements
- Tutorials, code samples, and overlays
- Long-tail support for old releases
If you need to port software or troubleshoot hardware, chances are someone has done it before — and shared the solution.
Common Use Cases for Open Source ARM Boards
🏭 Industrial IoT & Automation
Use open ARM motherboards to build:
- Field gateways with Modbus, CAN, RS485
- Touchscreen HMIs running Linux
- Smart meters or data loggers with secure boot
They provide long-term stability, real-time performance, and open control.
🤖 Robotics and Edge AI
Thanks to GPU/NPU integration and ROS support, open ARM boards are ideal for:
- Autonomous vehicles
- Vision-based pick-and-place robots
- AI-powered arms and kiosks
You can run inference engines locally without relying on the cloud — critical for low-latency decisions.
🎓 Education and STEM Learning
Open source hardware teaches:
- Circuit design and PCB layout
- Linux driver development
- Embedded programming with Python/C/C++
Many universities and makerspaces use boards like BeagleBone or Libre Computer for capstone projects.
🔐 Secure Embedded Systems
From banking terminals to health kiosks, transparency matters.
Open source boards let developers:
- Audit every line of firmware
- Control boot sequences and security keys
- Comply with strict cybersecurity standards
They’re often used in open government, blockchain nodes, and regulated environments.
🖥️ Smart Terminals and Kiosks
Need to deploy Android-based signage or POS terminals?
Open ARM boards with touch and HDMI support are:
- Easy to skin and brand
- Compatible with most CMS platforms
- Remotely upgradable and secure
Pair them with a fanless design for 24/7 commercial-grade operation.
Popular Open Source ARM Boards
| Board | SoC | Key Features | Notes |
| BeagleBone Black | TI AM335x | Industrial I/O, PRUs | Long open-source pedigree |
| Libre Computer AML-S905X-CC | Amlogic S905X | 4K video, GPIO | Pi-like alternative |
| Pine64 RockPro64 | Rockchip RK3399 | 6-core CPU, PCIe | Powerful edge AI support |
| BeagleV Ahead | RISC-V + ARM options | AI, camera, Linux | New open hybrid design |
| ShiMeta RK3399 Boards | Rockchip RK3399 | Dual-screen, AI-ready | Custom BSP and OEM support |
👉 Explore Open ARM Boards from ShiMeta
ShiMeta Devices: Open Source Support & Industrial Expertise
At ShiMeta Devices, we provide:
- Open documentation and schematics
- SDKs for Android/Linux
- Long lifecycle embedded boards
- Industrial-grade performance and compliance
- OEM customization for enclosures, I/O, and software
Whether you’re a startup building edge AI kiosks or an OEM rolling out thousands of field gateways, our open ARM platforms offer stability, support, and control.
Conclusion
An open source ARM motherboard offers the perfect blend of flexibility, performance, and transparency — making it a game-changer for embedded system developers and OEMs alike.
By enabling full access to both hardware and software layers, these platforms empower developers to create tailored, scalable, and secure systems across robotics, IoT, automation, and beyond.
As open hardware adoption grows, companies like ShiMeta Devices are leading the way with customizable, production-ready solutions that combine open source freedom with industrial reliability.