The LattePanda IOTA SBC

So, you’re thinking – something to do with coffee? Nope – the LattePanda IOTA board is an SBC with 8GB RAM, 64GB eMMC and a host of available accessories. And I know this how? Because a big parcel just turned up from DHL with several nicely-packaged boxed boards inside.

In the middle of a house move and Christmas preparations, so no time for doing a full review right now. But let’s just have a quick look, and I’ll tell you what I can about the stuff I received. Firstly the main board:

The board arrived in a nice black box along with a separate CR2032 battery+lead. The lead clips onto the topside of the board. And on the underside:

So we have 3 USB-3 connectors, Ethernet, full size HDMI video out, 3.5mm audio out, microSD and USB-C connectors, standard PI-like GPIO connector and as you can see, no shortage of connectors for various peripherals including the ones they sent to me.

Firstly their POE hat which looked horrifying until I opened up the little manual that comes with it. And now that I’ve seen that, it looks like it will be a pretty simple matter to fasten that to the top of the IOTA board.

Then there’s the M2 M-Key expansion board. All of this should make for an interesting project early in the new year.

There’s a Smart UPS Hat which takes 3 18840 Lithium batteries (not included). I’m not entirely sure how to fit that as it didn’t come with any mounting rods but I’m sure I’ll figure it out.

Two more boards – the M2 4G expansion board and the IOTA active cooler.

And with that, back in the box until the new year – I can see this is going to take some getting into – everything is well documented and I don’t want to rush it but I thought you might like a quick look. Of course there is far more on their website…

In fact for now, why don’t I just link you to their YouTube video – this is looking impressive: