Tinkerforge

Tinkerforge is a German open-source hardware platform centered on modular, stackable microcontroller building blocks. Its system separates core control, sensing, actuation, and communications into compact boards that can be combined for automation, instrumentation, robotics, prototyping, and other connected-hardware projects. The principal building blocks are called Bricks, while peripheral modules known as Bricklets add specific input, output, sensing, display, and control capabilities. A typical Tinkerforge setup uses one or more Bricks arranged in a stack. Bricks are compact circuit boards measuring approximately 4 by 4 centimetres. They contain 32-bit ARM microcontrollers, USB connectivity, and connectors for other boards. A Master Brick provides the base for a stack, while additional Bricks can process measurements, operate motors, or perform other control functions. Bricklets connect to the Bricks and provide application-specific capabilities, including sensors, LCD displays, and digital or analogue input and output. The platform also includes Master Extensions that alter or extend the communication path between the hardware and a host computer. Available communication options described for the platform include Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and RS-485. From the application programmer's perspective, these interfaces are intended to remain comparatively transparent, allowing a stack to be controlled in much the same way as one connected directly to a computer over USB. A defining characteristic of Tinkerforge is its non-embedded programming model. Rather than requiring developers to place all application logic inside a resource-constrained microcontroller, the hardware can be controlled by external programs running on a computer or other host. This approach reduces the need to work within the development environment, memory constraints, and processing limitations commonly associated with conventional embedded development. The platform supports libraries and bindings for a broad selection of languages, including C, C++, C#, Object Pascal, Java, Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby, Shell, and VB.NET, and is described as compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS. Both the hardware and software are open source, with design and software files hosted through the project's GitHub presence. This makes the platform suitable for users who want inspectable designs, reusable software interfaces, and modular experimentation rather than a closed, single-purpose controller. Tinkerforge occupies a position between educational electronics kits and professional development hardware: its modules are intended to be assembled quickly, while the host-side programming model allows projects to use the facilities of a general-purpose computer. The brand's product scope is organized around reusable hardware families rather than a single flagship device. Bricks provide computation and stack management, Bricklets provide specialized functions, and Master Extensions provide networking or bus connectivity. Together, these components form a general-purpose hardware ecosystem for prototypes and deployed control systems. The platform received the German computer magazine Chip's Product of the Year award in 2012, giving it recognition during the early period of its product development. Specific corporate ownership, founding details, headquarters city, financial information, and current executive leadership are not established by the supplied reference material.

Tinkerforge developed as an open-source hardware platform designed to make computer-controlled physical projects more modular and accessible. Its central design decision was to divide a hardware system into interoperable board types instead of combining computation, communications, sensors, and actuators into one fixed development board. This architecture allows users to select only the capabilities needed for a project and assemble them into a compact stack. The platform's primary unit is the Brick. Each Brick is a small circuit board with a 32-bit ARM microcontroller, USB connectivity, and connectors that allow it to communicate with other boards. Bricks can be stacked together, with a Master Brick serving as the base of a stack. Depending on the application, Bricks can interpret measurements, control motors, and coordinate attached modules. The stackable format provides a physical and functional structure for extending a project without redesigning a complete controller. Tinkerforge extends the core Bricks through Bricklets. These boards supply specialized input and output functions, including sensor interfaces, LCD display functions, and digital or analogue I/O. The separation between general-purpose Bricks and specialized Bricklets enables a common control architecture to be reused across different projects. A developer can therefore change the sensing or actuation layer while retaining much of the same host-side programming model. Communication with a stack can be expanded through Master Extensions. These boards provide interfaces such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and RS-485. The platform is designed so that the communication method is largely abstracted from the application: a stack connected through an extension can be addressed from software in a manner similar to a stack attached through USB. This supports installations where the controlling computer is not physically adjacent to the hardware. Another important part of Tinkerforge's history and identity is its non-embedded software model. Instead of requiring developers to write all behavior as firmware constrained by the resources of a small controller, Tinkerforge hardware can be operated by an external program. Libraries and language bindings are available for numerous programming languages, including C, C++, C#, Object Pascal, Java, Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby, Shell, and VB.NET. The platform is described as supporting Windows, Linux, and macOS. This design allows projects to use the memory, processing power, development tools, and ecosystem of a host computer. The hardware and software are open source, and project files are made available through GitHub. That openness supports inspection, adaptation, and community reuse, while the modular product structure gives the brand a practical identity distinct from both conventional single-board computers and closed industrial controllers. Tinkerforge's target applications include prototyping, automation, measurement, robotics, and other systems requiring a combination of sensors, actuators, displays, and network connectivity. In 2012, Chip awarded Tinkerforge its Product of the Year distinction. This is the clearest dated recognition identified in the supplied material. The available references do not establish the company's founding year, founders, corporate structure, financial performance, headquarters city, or subsequent ownership history. They also do not provide enough information to document a complete chronology of product generations or leadership changes.

• 2012

  Chip Product of the Year award

  [1]Tinkerforgeen.wikipedia.org

  Computer magazine Chip named Tinkerforge a Product of the Year, recognizing its modular open-source hardware platform.

A modular, open-source hardware platform for computer-controlled sensing, automation, robotics, instrumentation, and rapid prototyping. Tinkerforge emphasizes stackable hardware, broad host-language support, and the ability to move application logic onto a general-purpose computer instead of relying exclusively on embedded firmware.

• Stackable microcontroller boards

  Bricks

  Bricks are compact circuit boards measuring approximately 4 by 4 centimetres. Each includes a 32-bit ARM microcontroller, a USB connector, and connectors for additional Bricks and Bricklets. They form the computational and control core of a Tinkerforge installation, handling measurements, motor control, and communication with attached modules. Bricks can be stacked together, with a Master Brick required at the bottom of a stack.

• Peripheral sensor and I/O modules

  Bricklets

  Bricklets expand a Brick stack with application-specific input and output functions. The family includes many sensor modules as well as modules for LCD display, digital input and output, and analogue input and output. Their modular format allows users to assemble systems around the physical measurements, interfaces, and actuators required by a particular project.

• Communication interface extensions

  Master Extensions

  Master Extensions extend the communication options available to a Brick stack. The documented variants include Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and RS-485 interfaces. They are intended to preserve a common software-facing control model, so that a stack connected through an extension can be operated similarly to one connected directly to a host computer by USB.

• 2012

  Tinkerforge receives Chip Product of the Year award[1]Tinkerforgeen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The computer magazine Chip recognized Tinkerforge with a Product of the Year award. The recognition highlighted the modular open-source hardware platform during its early market presence.

1. 1Tinkerforgeen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Tinkerforge GitHub organizationgithub.com