Arduino IoT Cloud Platform Released

Arduino devices prove some of the best microcontrollers on the market, and excellent single-board computers (SBCs). With a range of applications, from blinking an LED and learning basic programming skills to building robotics, Arduino projects abound. Plus, with a variety of hardware options, there's a microcontroller for virtually any task. Now, Arduino launches the Arduino IoT Cloud, a new innovative, intuitive platform for IoT development. 

Arduino IoT Cloud Platform Launches

The Arduino IoT Cloud furthers the Arduino expansion into the IoT space. The IoT Cloud from Arduino aims to please anyone from a hobbyist maker to developers and IoT professionals. It allows for the development and management of Internet of Things applications. Arduino CIO Luca Cipriani reveals that “With the launch of the Arduino IoT Cloud, Arduino now provides its millions of users with a complete end-to-end approach to IoT that includes hardware, firmware, cloud services, and knowledge. This public beta release of the Arduino IoT Cloud, with automatic dashboard generation, webhooks support, and full TLS secure transport, will be an invaluable asset to users.”

Using Arduino IoT Cloud, it's possible to program Arduino boards. Earlier, this wasn't possible and programming required Arduino Sketch. But Arduino IoT Cloud makes it possible for users to whip up a sketch while setting up new devices adding to its flexibility. As such, it takes a matter of minutes to begin working with a new device. Arduino IoT Cloud can interact using MQTT, JavaScript, WebSockets, HTTP REST APIs, and more. With webhooks, you can sync up the likes of IFTT, Zapier, and Google Spreadsheet. 

Since Internet of Things devices rely heavily on sensor data, you can attach various sensors such as light, temperature, and humidity sensors as well as switches and actuators to the board. Then, upload software, and you're up and running in a few minutes, able to control individual components like actuators. 

Because security is a major concern in the IoT space, there's robust authentication of devices. You can expect secure data transmission and X.509 client authentication with Transport Layer Security (TLS) for secure incoming and outgoing traffic. 

Arduino Co-founder Massimo Banzi states of Arduino IoT Cloud, “Arduino now offers a complete platform with the MKR family, providing a streamlined way to create local IoT nodes and edge devices. These use a range of connectivity options and compatibility with third-party hardware, gateway, and cloud systems. The Arduino IoT Cloud allows users to manage, configure and connect not only Arduino hardware but also the vast majority of Linux-based devices – truly democratizing IoT development.”

What are your thoughts on Arduino IoT Cloud?