In this episode of IoT Unplugged, Ulderico Arcidiaco, Founder and CEO of Sfera Labs, talks about the role of Raspberry Pi in industrial IoT systems, and the lessons learned from real-world deployments.
Arcidiaco became interested in home and building automation in 2005, when he developed a platform that integrated different communication standards. With the arrival of the iPhone, he was among the first to control his home remotely using web-based applications. This experience highlighted the importance of combining software with reliable hardware, which eventually led to the founding of Sfera Labs.
When Raspberry Pi emerged, Arcidiaco and his team saw its potential beyond education. Initially designed as a low-cost tinkering board, Raspberry Pi was in fact a full Linux computer. By porting their building automation software onto it, they realised that, with the right engineering, it could become a dependable foundation for industrial applications. Sfera Labs built custom boards that added critical features such as uninterruptible power supply, real-time clock, watchdog systems, and safety-compliant enclosures. These adaptations transformed Raspberry Pi into an Edge server capable of running 24/7 in industrial environments.
Arcidiaco explains that Raspberry Pi’s appeal lies in its combination of affordability, flexibility, and community support. With tens of millions of units sold, its ecosystem offers a wealth of resources and innovations that companies can leverage. He stresses that while the Pi itself is not fully “open hardware,” its design is well documented, making it accessible for developers. This openness, he argues, is not about ownership but about knowledge availability, which accelerates innovation.
From an engineering standpoint, designing industrial systems around Raspberry Pi requires attention to mechanical integration, thermal management, compliance testing, and reliability over long lifecycles. Arcidiaco contrasts the standard Raspberry Pi boards (e.g. Model B) with the Compute Module line, which strips away unnecessary peripherals and allows deep customisation. While the Compute Module introduces greater engineering challenges—such as handling high-speed signal integrity and designing peripheral connections—it offers much more flexibility for advanced products. Sfera Labs now bases its most sophisticated solutions on Compute Modules, though both variants remain valuable.
In terms of real-world deployments, Sfera Labs’ products—such as Strato, Iono, and Exo—function as edge servers, I/O modules, and environmental sensors. They are used in diverse environments, from harsh Arctic conditions monitoring maritime traffic, to microgrid management in African villages, to applications on ships. A notable lesson has been that basing products on Raspberry Pi makes them less intimidating for users. If a failure occurs, customers can often replace the Pi locally, reducing downtime.
To hear more about what Arcidiaco had to say about building with Raspberry Pi, listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at the link below.
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