A team of Polish engineers has introduced the Linux Platform Kit, a customizable, phone-like handheld device powered by STMicroelectronics' STM32MP157 chip. Designed as an open-source tool for developers, it emphasizes versatility and learning embedded Linux. The project aims to serve as a portable multitool for embedded engineers and hobbyists.
The Linux Platform Kit emerged from an unlikely collaboration among a small group of Polish engineers and developers who connected through online comments. As the founders describe, "We are a small group of engineers who met completely by chance in a comment section, united by a random desire to build something cool that we actually needed." Their objective extends beyond hardware creation: "Our goal wasn't just to build hardware, but to gain a ton of knowledge in the process and eventually pass that on to others as an Open Source project." The device is intended as a carryable development tool that supports personalization and acts as a versatile multitool.
At its core, the kit features the STMicroelectronics STM32MP157 system-on-chip, which integrates two Arm Cortex-A7 cores operating at up to 800MHz, a Cortex-M4 microcontroller core at up to 209MHz, and a 3D-capable graphics processor. It includes 4GB of DDR3 memory and a 4.1-inch ultra-wide display with 1080×480 resolution in a phone-like form factor. Connectivity options comprise Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but exclude cellular service. Storage is handled via a microSD card slot, while a multi-functional external connector exposes interfaces such as Ethernet, CAN, UART, RS485, I2C, I2S, SPI, timer outputs, and GPIO pins. A physical keyboard module is under development to complement the touchscreen.
The creators position the device as "capable of practically anything," ideal for embedded engineers, thinkers, and those developing custom solutions. They add, "We see it as an essential tool for embedded engineers, thinkers, and anyone who loves to model or develop custom solutions." It also facilitates learning embedded Linux, supporting distributions like Yocto for in-depth exploration or Debian for quicker starts. Project details, including sources and hardware designs, are shared on GitHub under various licenses, with further discussion on Reddit.