Contacts

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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 data centre (cooling, energy supply and regulation, lighting, air conditioning etc.) as economical and simple as possible. In 2013, we thus started the development of our system, utilizing an 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. Also, it featured a dedicated EEPROM memory chip, a 1-Wire low-speed data bus, and full compatibility with both Raspberry Pi B and B+ variants.  The UniPi 1.1 was the direct predecessor of the UniPi Neuron PLC.

Indiegogo campaign

The UniPi 1.1 was then offered on the Indiegogo crowdfunding portal 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 several 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 design and/or custom I/O module architecture. Alternatively, a high degree of modularity allowed us to offer 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. 

New company logo

Our original logo depicted a raspberry, hinting at the fact we are using Raspberry Pi computer in Unipi products (Unipi 1.1 and Unipi Neuron controllers). Thing change, however, and after introducing the Axon product line the Raspberry Pi was no longer the sole computing module used. Due to this fact, we decided to use a different symbol designed as a universal logo for all Unipi products, that would not be confusing or misleading. We published a related news article available on this link. 

New Axon LTE/IQRF controllers

During the year 2019, we focused on the further development of the Axon line in an attempt to expand its potential. As a result, we introduced brand-new Unipi Axon M265 LTE and M565 LTE controllers featuring LTE interface for communication via high-speed wireless LTE network. More info about the introduction of LTE models can be found in this article, along with a case study accessible on this link. 

On the same year, we also introduced another specialized Axon model - the S175 with IQRF interface, allowing it to communicate via the IQRF wireless technology. You can learn more about IQRF in this article.

A new generation of Neuron/Axon 500 and Unipi Extension modules

The Neuron M503, L503 and L513 controllers, along with their Axon counterparts M505, M515 and L505, became one of the most successful Unipi controllers. The progress cannot be stopped, however, and at the beginning of 2020, we introduced a new generation of these well-liked controllers in the form of Neuron M523, L523 and L533 models along with the Axon M525. You can learn more in this article.