BoardX is a collection of electronic circuit boards from Upgrade Industries that stack on top of one another to share resources, communicate, and extend the functionality of one another. This system is built on the motherboard that acts as both an electrical and structural foundation.
Unlike similar products (but much like a familiar PC system), the motherboard does not come with a processor pre-installed. Processors come as simple, low cost add-on boards, which allow any processor (or multiple processors) to be used with the system. BoardX is also Arduino compatible (with the Arduino SDK. shields, on the other hand will need modification)
Add-ons can be attached to the USB, SPI, UART, and I2C buses to provide any feature imaginable. These can be sensors, communication interfaces, or even physical control devices like motors or servos. With this idea in mind, a robust and flexible design can be achieved that allows you to choose which parts of the system to design and which parts can be off the shelf.
BoardX is available early and at a discount for contributors to the Kickstarter funding pool - http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/upgradeindustries/boardx-the-open-source-miniature-motherboard
Comments
@Ellison: Well if you paid for it with a credit card and don't receive the item, you call your credit card company and tell them. They'll refund you your money automatically.
Kickstarter just facilitates the meeting of the two parties and arranges for the money to change hands through Amazon, they offer no outside protections beyond what you'd have if you had bought anything else with a credit card. If you're nervous about someone running off with your money, Kickstarter probably isn't the best thing for you :/
The header pin connections should be as good as between APM and Oilpan, or between xbee & adapter boards. Or looks like something to build a ground station out of, so no vibration there usually.
@KG So, you don't pay if you don't receive the item?
Some great questions:
@Gary: Vibration, as always, would be something to consider when buying such a system. However, the add-ons are very firmly attached and do not move at all. Still though, you can always try applying a little hot glue for extra support.
@Ellison: The payment system is handled through Amazon, which is very reputable. You don't technically have a guarantee that you'll receive the goods exactly on time but that's what credit card payment reversals are for.
Yes, the funding is time limited, I know. But the delivery date is after the funding deadline date. How do you now that once the funding level is reached, and the money is received that you will get the item delivered on time or at all? Keep in mind that most of the funding options include the promise of delivery of a product at the a certain date.
Elison, just klick on "learn more" at the top:
"All or nothing funding. On Kickstarter, a project must reach its funding goal before time runs out or no money changes hands. Why? It protects everyone involved. Creators aren’t expected to develop their project without necessary funds, and it allows anyone to test concepts without risk."
I find this Kickstart.com web site interesting. Some projects have gotten a lot of money. How does one know that they will actually deliver what was promised for the donations given?
That's why they invented duct tape!
Blimey, and I don't mean to be rude but that looks like a heap of trouble in a vibration filled environment.
A board that could run loads of different software would be very cool but having bits that can disconnect is not.
I hope you prove me wrong though.
Best of luck.