Arduino UNO R4: Revamped Performance, Enhanced Features, and Seamless Compatibility

Arduino has collaborated with Renesas and Espressif to unveil the latest addition to its UNO family—the UNO R4. This new iteration boasts a remarkable 3x performance enhancement over the UNO R3 and is available in standard and Wi-Fi versions.

The UNO R4 is offered in two variants: UNO R4 Wi-Fi and UNO R4 Minima. It is equipped with the Renesas RA4M1 32-bit microcontroller, utilizing the Arm Cortex-M4 core to deliver a substantial increase in processing power, memory capacity, and overall functionality. In the Wi-Fi version, an Espressif S3 Wi-Fi module is integrated, opening up new possibilities for creative endeavors among makers, educators, and hobbyists.

Maintaining the beloved features of its predecessor, the UNO R4 prioritizes compatibility with the same form factor, shield compatibility, and 5V operating voltage. Additionally, software compatibility is a key focus, ensuring that most existing libraries and examples seamlessly function on the new board.

In essence, the UNO R4 represents a significant advancement in performance and functionality while preserving the familiarity and versatility that users appreciate in the UNO R3.

The UNO R4 Wi-Fi variant stands out by including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity, catering to users who seek versatile wireless capabilities. On the other hand, the UNO R4 Minima is designed as a budget-friendly option, providing the new microcontroller without additional features. Furthermore, Arduino IDE now supports other Renesas microcontrollers, like the RL78/G22 and G23, broadening the range of compatible devices.

Massimo Banzi, co-founder and chairman of Arduino, announced the UNO R4 during Arduino Day 2023. He believes the UNO R4 is a new chapter in the UNO story and the perfect way to move forward, leveraging the latest available technology. He said,

“While maintaining the UNO R3 in our product lineup, we collaborated closely with our partners Renesas and Espressif to create the most compatible and powerful maker board on the market. I’m eager to see the incredible projects the community will develop, particularly with the UNO R4 Wi-Fi. Imagine the possibilities for STEM educators and makers by utilizing existing shields and accessories and leveraging Wi-Fi to connect to the Arduino Cloud or other platforms.”

Renesas’ SVP, Chris Allexandre, said, “

We are honored to collaborate with Arduino on their iconic UNO product line. Despite the challenges of this intricate project with a rich legacy, our 5V 32-bit Arm Cortex M4-based microcontrollers facilitated a smooth upgrade path, offering enhanced performance and resources to unlock endless potential for makers worldwide. As both a technology company and an investor, we take immense pleasure in supporting Arduino’s mission to empower innovation by making advanced technology accessible and user-friendly for all.”

The Arduino UNO R4 introduces several notable improvements, featuring the Renesas RA4M1 microcontroller with an Arm Cortex-M4 core running at 48MHz. This enhancement results in a remarkable 3x performance increase compared to its predecessor, the UNO R3. To accommodate more complex projects, the SRAM has been upgraded from 2kB to 32kB, and flash memory has been expanded from 32kB to 256kB.

Recognizing the importance of software compatibility, extensive efforts have been made to ensure backward compatibility with existing code examples and tutorials for the UNO R4. Popular Arduino libraries are being optimized, aiming for seamless functionality in most cases. However, some libraries previously optimized for the AVR architecture in the UNO R3 may require porting to the new Renesas architecture. To support this transition, Arduino provides a public list of such libraries, along with links to alternative options. In a bid to encourage library developers to adapt their low-level code to the Renesas architecture, an early adopter program has been initiated, and interested developers can find more information on the dedicated website.

The official release of the Arduino UNO R4 was released in May. The Arduino UNO R4 WiFi is priced at €25,00 and the Arduino UNO R4 Minima is priced at €18,00. 

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