The Raspberry Pi revolutionized the single-board computer (SBC) world by making low-cost computing accessible to hobbyists, students, and tinkerers. It proved that a credit-card-sized board could power real applications — from weather stations to home media servers.
But as embedded development evolves, engineers and product designers are starting to look beyond Pi for more industrial-grade SBCs that can meet commercial and long-term deployment demands.
🔧 The Pi’s Role in Prototyping
There’s no denying the Pi’s popularity. Its community support, GPIO accessibility, and affordable pricing make it perfect for quick prototyping. However, it has some limitations:
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No official support for Android
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Limited display interface (mostly HDMI)
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Not optimized for long-term industrial use
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Limited customization for hardware-level I/O
For rapid idea testing and educational purposes, it’s unbeatable. But for real-world products — especially touch-based control panels or smart edge devices — other SBCs may be more suitable.
🚀 What Are Developers Exploring Next?
A growing number of developers are turning toward SBCs designed specifically for embedded applications. These boards often include:
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MIPI DSI/CSI interfaces for custom displays and cameras
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Pre-installed Android or Yocto/Linux BSPs
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Long-term availability (5~10 years support)
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Ready-to-use documentation and industrial form factors
You can explore developer articles and community projects in the SBC development tag on DEV to see what’s trending beyond Raspberry Pi.
🔍 Example: Rockchip RK3566 Android SBC
One interesting board that recently caught attention is the Rockchip RK3566 Android SBC by Rocktech, listed on Product Hunt. It features:
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Quad-core ARM Cortex-A55
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Android 11 with full BSP support
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Dual-screen display support (MIPI + HDMI + LVDS)
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Designed for industrial HMI, kiosks, and custom UI systems
This type of board bridges the gap between maker-grade devices and production-ready embedded platforms.
🧠 Closing Thoughts
Raspberry Pi will always be a vital part of the embedded ecosystem. But for businesses or hardware integrators looking to ship scalable, reliable, and custom-tailored solutions — the world of Android/Linux-based industrial SBCs is worth exploring.
Whether you’re working on a touch-enabled HMI or a rugged IoT panel, today’s SBC market offers a wider spectrum than ever before.
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