Contacts

Where can you find us?

Billing information

PayPal: info@unipi.technology

Development history

Development timeline

Beginnings

Roots of UniPi.technology can be traced back to 1994. In this year, the Faster CZ company was established. During preparations to move into the current residency, a vision of an economic data centre control and a regulation system was created. Our goal was to create a technological solution, that would allow us to control and regulate all aspects of the datacenter (cooling, energy supply and regulation, lighting, air conditioning etc.) as economical and simple as possible. In 2013, we thus started the development of our own system, utilizing open-source platform in the highest possible extent.

Raspberry Pi introduction

The Raspberry Pi, when introduced, represented a small revolution. The requirement for its development was to create so-called credit-sized computer - literally a computer with the size of a credit card. Raspberry Pi is thus a fully-fledged computer despite its minute size. It can be used as any other personal computer, has a great performance for its dimensions and also has the advantage of the low purchase cost. Our project was then reworked to integrate the Raspberry Pi, which became the basis of all of our subsequent work.

UniPi 1.1

The result of our effort was the UniPi 1.1. In its core, it was only an extension to the Raspberry Pi, providing it with "eyes, ears and limbs". The result was a control unit with 14 digital input modules, 2 analogue input modules and one analogue output module. In addition, it featured a dedicated EEPROM memory chip, a 1-Wire low-speed data bus, and a full compatibility with both Raspberry Pi B and B+ variants.  The UniPi 1.1 was the direct predecessor of the UniPi Neuron Unit, and although any further development was eventually halted, the unit itself will be for sale at least until 2020.

Indiegogo campaign

The UniPi 1.1 was then offered on the Indiegogo crowdfunding portal with the goal to collect at least €3000 needed for further development. In the end, we exceeded the goal more than twofold - we sold around 60 units and the total sum collected was €7237. Originally, we offered the unit primarily on e-shops, but the success allowed us to start the wholesale.

UniPi Neuron

Based on our experience with the development and sale of the UniPi 1.1, the unit underwent an extensive overhaul, creating a second generation - the UniPi Neuron. Compared to the 1.1 variant, the Neuron has a number of striking advantages. It can be extended by additional extension modules, has a fully modular construction and in contrast to its predecessor, all components are encased within a durable aluminium chassis. The S103 model which is the basis for the whole Neuron line-up, offers 4 digital input modules, 4 digital output modules, one analogue output and input module and also a single RS485 universal bus connector.

Neuron OEM

The OEM variant of the Neuron gave customers a possibility to customize the Neuron according to their specific needs and without the requirement to spend money on development. The customer could now create his or her own design and/or custom I/O module architecture. Alternatively, a high degree of modularity allowed us to offer a custom development of new functions.

Neuron 500

Only a few months after the introduction of the Neuron OEM, we introduced the Neuron 500 line, currently the most popular model. The line, consisting of the M503, L503 and L513 models, offers up to 9 analogue input modules, 9 analogue output modules and up to 3 RS485 universal bus connector, depending on the specific model chosen.  

UniPi Axon

Since the introduction of the Neuron line, we continued to develop its features. After a long development, the brand-new UniPi Axon product line was officially introduced on the AMPER 2018 international fair in March 2018. Aside from the new black aluminium casing, the Axon received a new CPU module and significantly enhanced functionality while retaining compact dimensions and modular architecture. Axons are powered by an industrial computer with the 1.2 GHz Allwinner H5 quad-core ARM processor, 1GB RAM and 1Gbit Ethernet. The main difference is, however, the internal 8GB eMMC memory, replacing the SSD card on the Raspberry Pi. The basic model is Axon S105, featuring four digital I/O's, single analogue I/O, RS485 & RS232 lines and a 1-Wire bus port.