VIA Technologies launched the VIA ARTiGO A900 Android system, which provides all the key components for building Android-based interactive kiosks, home automation devices, signage, and other HMI solutions in a single system. Featuring an optional Mini HDMI-in port as well as a Mini HDMI-out port, the VIA ARTiGO A900 can be configured to blend locally-captured real-time video streams with cloud-delivered content to create interactive displays for retail, banking, museums, and other environments. Peripheral devices such as sensors, cameras, ticket printers, and barcode and fingerprint scanners can be integrated through the system?s Serial, Digital I/O, or USB 2.0 ports.

Based on the VIA VAB-1000 Pico-ITX board, the VIA ARTiGO A900 is powered by a 1.0GHz dual core VIA Elite E1000 Cortex-A9 SoC with a 2D/3D graphics and video engine that supports Open GL ES 3.0 hardware acceleration and simultaneous multiple HD video playback.



Its fanless sealed chassis is measuring just 125mm x 30mm x 120mm (W x H x D). Front panel I/O includes three USB 2.0 ports and line-in/out audio jacks. Rear panel I/O includes two Mini HDMI ports for HDMI-in (project-based support) and HDMI-out, one Digital I/O port supporting 4-bit GPIO, one COM port supporting RS232/485, one Gigabit Ethernet port, one Micro SD card slot, one Mini USB 2.0 port, and one 12V DC-in jack.

The onboard mSATA and Mini-PCIe slots provide system expansion options, including the integration of optional high-speed wireless networking capabilities through a choice of 802.11b/g/n and 3.75G HSP/UMTS mini-PCIe mobile broadband modules. Other onboard features include 2GB DDR3 SDRAM and 4GB eMMC Flash memory. Wake On LAN (WOL) support is also included.

The VIA ARTiGO A900 BSP features Android 4.3 as well as the VIA Smart ETK comprising a number of APIs, including Watchdog Timer (WDT) for safeguarding against system crashes, GPIO access, COM port access, RTC for auto-power on, and a sample app.

The VIA ARTiGO A900 is available now at a price of US$350 plus shipping.