Hey everyone, check out this cool project from PriscoZen called ZenCell.<br> <br> So, the original setup was a bit clunky: they were using an Arduino Mega for inputs/outputs and a Raspberry Pi as the brain for logic. It worked, but it felt like two separate systems bolted together. The big move here is switching to the Arduino UNO Q board. This thing is seriously powerful because it bundles an MPU running Linux with an MCU for real-time control.<br> <br> The whole point of switching to the UNO Q was to centralize everything. Now, the UNO Q is handling the software, the logic, the peripherals (like barcodes), and the whole operation. The result? Cycle times dropped way down, from 1.8-2.2 seconds to a snappy 0.56 to 0.68 seconds! That’s a massive improvement for inspection speed.<br> <br> They also built this software layer called ZenCore, which is awesome because you can manage everything—workflows, recipes, diagnostics—through a simple local web interface without needing some heavy client software.<br> <br> This whole story is a perfect example of how iterating on hardware (moving from two boards to one) can lead to a huge leap in performance and simplicity. It shows that sometimes the 'eureka moment' isn't one big flash, but a series of smart upgrades. Definitely makes the case that industrial automation doesn't always need the old PLC setup.<br> <br> Source: https://blog.arduino.cc/2026/05/26/zencell-replacing-two-boards-with-one-to-build-a-better-quality-inspection-solution/