The Raspberry Pi was originally designed to provide a low cost solution to all lovers of programming (including students). With the passage of time, a strong community around this little device has grown so as to transform the minicomputer into an object of worship. The board is inexpensive, efficient and massively supported with millions of modules sold all over the planet.

Now the maker of Raspberry Pi has introduced a different model aimed at advanced developers, business and industrial environments. The Raspberry Pi Compute Module is a version with exactly the same hardware as the original Raspberry Pi, but comes with DDR2 SODIMM format.

The module can be used alone, but it needs a PCB, of what we might call a motherboard with ports, connectors and all that is needed to get started. The 67.6x30mm Compute Module puts the Raspberry Pi’s system-on-a-chip with 512MB of memory and 4GB of Flash storage on a board that fits into a standard DDR2 SODIMM slot. The foundation is also releasing a Compute Module IO board for the module that has the same sort of input and output interfaces as the single-board Pi—the main difference being that the board is entirely open source. However, the board does have HDMI output and USB ports, but it’s missing several others. It doesn’t have RCA video output, audio line-out jack, or Ethernet port.

According to the official blog post, the Compute Module was developed for anyone who’s looking to create their own backplane. The full kit includes the Compute Module IO board so you can just snap in the Module itself and start tinkering.

“This board provides both a starting template for those who want to design with the Compute Module, and a quick way to start experimenting with the hardware and building and testing a system before going to the expense of fabricating a custom board,” said James Adams, Director of Hardware, Raspberry Pi in the blog post.

Opens the door for industrial automation

The maker is providing Raspberry Pi Compute Module Kit that offers loads of flexibility thanks to the two massive GPIO connectors. The kit got built-in support for dual DSI displays and two cam hookups and is fully open source. Initially, the Compute Module and IO Board will be available to buy together as the Raspberry Pi Compute Module Development Kit.

It’s an excellent starting point for your next Internet of Things creation. At just $30, Raspberry Pi Compute Module can be used as a basis for the design of a notebook computer, a desktop, some kind of pc built for pleasure or work. But the real advantage of the new project is that it helps to imagine various solutions of hyper connectivity perspective and openness to other materials. With this type of solution, any manufacturer of electronic card will be able to design specific input or output which can be grafted on the chip of the Raspberry Pi modules. Industries can build a range of measures on robots with the inputs and outputs for control such as Mechanical arm, 3D printer, or other products.

Another advantage is that the foundation says that the kit will be affordable, starting at $30 per 100 pieces. A price quite affordable for professionals and industry.

The small Raspberry Pi Compute Module has the potential to establish a presence in all kinds of new equipment. Some use the Raspberry Pi as a cheap entertainment center with OpenELEC. The tiny piece can also be used as the centerpiece for a surveillance motion camera. The possibilities are almost endless and limited only by your creativity and imagination.

[Image credit: top image courtesy AdaFruit Industries, maker of the Raspberry Pi.]