
What Is UNIHIKER SBC Board?
UNIHIKER is a compact and feature-rich single-board computer (SBC) developed by DFRobot. It's a Debian-based Linux SBC that features a quad-core Arm Cortex A35 processor, an RISC-V MCU, and comes with a built-in 2.8-inch touchscreen display.Β The UNIHIKER series currently includes two models: UNIHIKER K10 and UNIHIKER M10.Β
The UNIHIKER stands out from traditional SBCs like the Raspberry Pi by offering an all-in-one, self-contained SBC "lab" experience.
This makes it particularly suitable for educational purposes, IoT applications, and STEM learning, especially for beginners looking to explore programming and hardware interaction.Β
Key Features of the UNIHIKER BoardΒ

The UNIHIKER Board features are carefully crafted to provide a comprehensive development experience without the complexity typically associated with embedded systems programmingΒ
Display and InterfaceΒ
- 2.8-inch touchscreen display for intuitive interaction and data visualizationΒ
- Touch-enabled interface for direct interaction with projectsΒ
- Ability to display text, charts, graphs, and dynamic animationsΒ
Processing PowerΒ
- Main Processor: Quad-core ARM Cortex-A35 running at 1.5GHzΒ
- Co-processor: RISC-V MCU for real-time operationsΒ
- RAM: 1GB DDR4 for smooth multitaskingΒ
- Storage: 32GB eMMC with microSD expansion supportΒ
Software EnvironmentΒ
- Operating System: Debian-based LinuxΒ
- Pre-installed Software: Jupyter Notebook, Python 3.x, PinPong libraryΒ
- Programming Support: Multiple IDEs including VS Code, Thonny, and Mind+Β
Built-in SensorsΒ
The board comes equipped with an impressive array of built-in sensors that enable immediate experimentation with Python coding on SBC platforms:Β
- Light sensor for ambient light detectionΒ
- Accelerometer and gyroscope for motion sensingΒ
- Microphone for audio input and voice recognition projectsΒ
- Temperature sensor for environmental monitoringΒ
Connectivity OptionsΒ
- Wi-Fi for wireless internet connectivityΒ
- Bluetooth for device communicationΒ
- Built-in co-processor for communication with various sensors and actuatorsΒ
Expansion CapabilitiesΒ
- I2C/UART/SPI interfaces for connecting external sensors and actuatorsΒ
- Analog/digital input/output capabilitiesΒ
- Gravity port compatibility for easy sensor connectionsΒ
- Support for micro:bit breakout boardsΒ
UNIHIKER SBC board SpecificationsΒ

Physical Layout and ConnectivityΒ
Primary Interfaces:Β
- USB Port: USB-C connector for power supply, data transfer, and programming connectivityΒ
- MicroSD Card Slot: Expandable storage option for additional capacity beyond the built-in eMMC storageΒ
- Dual I2C Ports: Two dedicated I2C interface connectors for connecting multiple sensors and peripherals simultaneouslyΒ
Input/Output CapabilitiesΒ
Digital and Analog I/O:Β
- Multiple I/O Pins: Several general-purpose input/output pins for connecting external componentsΒ
- Flexible Pin Configuration: Pins can be configured for both digital and analog operations depending on project requirementsΒ
Built-in Sensor ArrayΒ
Motion Sensing:Β
- Accelerometer: Integrated 3-axis accelerometer for detecting orientation, tilt, and acceleration changesΒ
- Gyroscope: Built-in gyroscope for measuring rotational movement and angular velocityΒ
Audio Output:Β
- Buzzer: Onboard buzzer for audio notifications, alarms, and simple sound generationΒ
Board Design FeaturesΒ
Compact Form Factor:Β
- Optimized Layout: All components are efficiently arranged on a single PCB to maximize functionality while maintaining portabilityΒ
- Component Integration: Critical sensors and interfaces are built directly into the board, reducing the need for external modulesΒ
Expansion Capabilities:Β
- Multiple Connection Points: Various connector types accommodate different sensor and actuator requirementsΒ
- Standardized Interfaces: Uses common communication protocols (I2C, digital I/O) for easy integration with existing componentsΒ
Technical ArchitectureΒ
Communication Protocols:Β
- I2C Communication: Dual I2C ports support multiple device connections with different addressingΒ
- Digital Signal Processing: Dedicated I/O pins support both input sensing and output controlΒ
- Real-time Operations: Onboard sensors provide immediate data feedback for responsive applicationsΒ
Power and Data Management:Β
- Single Cable Solution: USB-C port handles both power delivery and data communicationΒ
- Storage Expansion: MicroSD slot allows for additional storage capacity for data logging and larger applicationsΒ
- Sensor Integration: Built-in accelerometer and gyroscope eliminate the need for external motion sensing modules
UNIHIKER vs Raspberry Pi
When evaluating the UNIHIKER SBC Board against the popular Raspberry Pi, it's essential to understand that these boards serve different purposes despite both being single-board computers.
The Raspberry Pi excels as a versatile, general-purpose computing platform with extensive GPIO options and community support, while UNIHIKER focuses specifically on educational applications and rapid prototyping with its integrated sensors and display. Β
This Raspberry Pi alternative for Python development offers a more streamlined, beginner-friendly approach that eliminates many setup complexities typically associated with embedded programming.
Feature | UNIHIKER SBC | Raspberry Pi 4B |
---|---|---|
Built-in Display | 2.8" touchscreen included | External monitor required |
Integrated Sensors | 6+ sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, light, microphone) | No built-in sensors |
Setup Time | Under 5 minutes, plug-and-play | 30+ minutes with OS installation |
Programming Access | Web-based Jupyter Notebook, wireless | SSH, VNC, or desktop environment |
Educational Focus | Purpose-built for Python programming for beginner's | General-purpose computer |
GPIO Pins | Limited GPIO through expansion ports | 40-pin GPIO header |
Price Point | ~$79 with integrated features | ~$35 base (additional costs for display/sensors) |
Storage | 32GB eMMC + microSD expansion | microSD card required |
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Setting Up Your UNIHIKER BoardΒ
Getting started with programming with UNIHIKER is remarkably straightforward, designed to eliminate common barriers that intimidate newcomers to embedded programming.Β
Initial ConnectionΒ
- Connect via USB-C: Simply plug the UNIHIKER into your computer using the included USB-C cableΒ
- Wait for Boot: The device boots automatically and creates a Wi-Fi hotspotΒ
- Access Interface: Open your web browser and navigate to the provided IP addressΒ
- Start Programming: Jupyter Notebook opens immediately, ready for Python codingΒ
Network ConfigurationΒ
For permanent Wi-Fi connectivity:Β
- Access the device settings through the web interfaceΒ
- Select your Wi-Fi network from the available optionsΒ
- Enter your network credentialsΒ
- The device will automatically connect and be accessible from anywhere on your networkΒ
Development Environment SetupΒ
The SBC with built-in display and sensors comes pre-configured with everything needed for Python programming for beginners:Β
- Jupyter Notebook for interactive developmentΒ
- PinPong library for hardware controlΒ
- Example projects to demonstrate capabilitiesΒ
- Documentation and tutorials accessible offlineΒ
First ProgramΒ
Your first program can be as simple as displaying "Hello World" on the built-in screen:
python
from pinpong.board import Board
from pinpong.libs.dfrobot_display import DFRobot_Display
Board().begin()
display = DFRobot_Display()
display.clear()
display.print("Hello, UNIHIKER!")
This immediate feedback loop makes learning Python coding on SBC platforms incredibly engaging and rewarding.
Ideal Use Cases for UNIHIKER SBC BoardsΒ
The versatile nature of the UNIHIKER SBC Board makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from educational settings to professional prototyping scenarios.Β
Educational ApplicationsΒ
Python programming for beginners becomes significantly more accessible with UNIHIKER's integrated approach:Β
- Classroom Teaching: The built-in display eliminates projection requirementsΒ
- Individual Learning: Students can work independently without additional hardwareΒ
- STEM Projects: Combining programming with sensor data creates engaging experimentsΒ
- Coding Bootcamps: Rapid setup allows more time for actual programming instructionΒ
IoT Development ProjectsΒ
As a dedicated IoT development board, UNIHIKER excels in connected device prototyping:Β
- Environmental Monitoring: Built-in sensors capture temperature, light, and motion dataΒ
- Smart Home Prototypes: Wi-Fi connectivity enables remote device controlΒ
- Data Logging: Local storage with cloud connectivity for long-term monitoringΒ
- Sensor Networks: MQTT support enables professional IoT architecturesΒ
Rapid PrototypingΒ
The combination of integrated sensors and immediate visual feedback makes UNIHIKER ideal for:Β
- Concept Validation: Quickly test ideas without hardware complexityΒ
- User Interface Development: Touch display enables interactive prototypesΒ
- Sensor Integration Testing: Validate sensor performance before full-scale developmentΒ
- Algorithm Development: Real-time data visualization for algorithm tuningΒ
Creative and Artistic ProjectsΒ
The educational SBC platform supports creative applications through:Β
- Interactive Art Installations: Touch display and sensors create engaging experiencesΒ
- Music and Sound Projects: Built-in microphone and speaker enable audio applicationsΒ
- Data Visualization: Real-time charts and graphs for scientific or artistic displayΒ
- Motion-Responsive Projects: Accelerometer and gyroscope enable gesture controlΒ
Professional DevelopmentΒ
Even experienced developers find value in UNIHIKER for:Β
- Workshop Demonstrations: Eliminate setup time during technical presentationsΒ
- Client Prototypes: Quickly demonstrate concepts with professional appearanceΒ
- Team Collaboration: Web-based programming enables remote collaborationΒ
- Testing and Validation: Integrated sensors reduce external dependency complexityΒ
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ConclusionΒ
The UNIHIKER SBC represents a thoughtful evolution in educational computing, addressing many of the pain points that have historically made embedded programming intimidating for newcomers.
By integrating essential components like display, sensors, and wireless connectivity into a single, streamlined package, it removes barriers that often prevent people from exploring the exciting world of hardware programming.Β
While it may not replace traditional single-board computers for all applications, the UNIHIKER excels in its intended role as an educational platform and rapid prototyping tool.
Its emphasis on immediate gratification through visual feedback, combined with the power and flexibility of Python programming, creates an environment where learning becomes both engaging and productive.Β