Hello,
As I'm building my prototype using the Yun, I'm wondering what would be the next step if this actually works as a product I would like to sell. Does anyone know of a Yun like product that I could distribute? (I'm assuming you can't really re-sell a Yun in a commercialized product).
Thanks.
virtualswp:
(I'm assuming you can't really re-sell a Yun in a commercialized product).
Yes, you can. I don't know your price target but I think that the Yun's cost is a bit high for mass production.
You could resell a Yun as part of a product, with your additional circuitry stacked on top of it on a shield. But just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Besides the extra cost, there is the additional size to consider, the potential failure points from the shield connections, and the extra labor to assemble the separate boards together and secure them.
A development board like the Yun is very handy for the proof of concept phase and early development efforts. The next step is often a prototype of a single combined board that includes the processor, power supply, and all additional circuitry. Plan on this first spin of the board being a prototype as well, it's very common for there to be issues with this first version (or three) before it is ready to go into production.
The Arduino ('32U4) side of the Yun is fairly straightforward to implement on your own board. The Linux side (AR3391) is much more complicated. You will need to sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) with Atheros to get the required information, and you will need the expensive test equipment to do the required RF testing during development and production. The alternative is an AR3391 subsystem module like the Dragino HE, or the Domino Core. (Not an exhaustive list, there are others.)
I agree with ShapeShifter and Angelo9999.
If OP is at penny count situation.
Ralink and MediaTek WiSoC line's price beats Qualcomm/Atheros in no time.
http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=187766.msg1711309#msg1711309
Mass production of 1 million units, one dollar difference means 1 million dollar.
Thanks everyone, not having a hardware background makes this a challenge for me to take it to the next step, so I appreciate your help.
virtualswp:
Hello,As I'm building my prototype using the Yun, I'm wondering what would be the next step if this actually works as a product I would like to sell. Does anyone know of a Yun like product that I could distribute? (I'm assuming you can't really re-sell a Yun in a commercialized product).
Thanks.
Hi virtualswp,
Our Domino Core (AR9331-based like the Arduino Yun Linux part), and our Domino Qi Mini + base board look exactly what you are looking for:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/706167548/dominoio-an-open-hardware-wifi-platform-for-things
As the Domino Qi Mini + base board is fully compatible with the Arduino Yun, porting your developments to it should be transparent, resulting into a much cheaper overall solution. But you also have the choice of integrating the Domino Qi Mini smaller board (but still Yun-compatible) into a custom board, or even down to the Domino Core for further shrinking.
Even if you don't have any hardware background, you may also consider our full life-cycle services for Makers: schematics, layout, part provisioning, prototype, manufacturing, testing, storage and shipping at the best possible price.
Please support us and contact us, we are certainly able to help you!
More information on http://domino.io/