The Korean-based company Hardkernel announced the launch of their newest ODROID-M1 single board computer which adopts the Rockchip RK3568 as its System on Chip. The SoC integrates four ARM cortex-A55 processors (up to 2 GHz), a Mali-G52 MP2 GPU and a 0.8 TOPs AI accelerator RKNN NPU.

Although slower than its predecessors (i.e. ODROID H2), the ODROID-M1 provides a wide variety of peripherals. The SBC has SATA, eMMC, MicroSD and M.2 NVMe M-key support. Additionally, it comes with Petitboot pre-installed in its onboard SPI-flash memory for easier kernel and OS management.

ODROID-M1 interfaces(click image to enlarge)

The ODROID-M1 also provides support for popular open source machine learning platforms such as TensorFlow, Pytorch, Keras and many more. Hardkernel suggests using Ubuntu 20.04 because it provides tested drivers for peripherals such as GPIOs, NPU, MIPI DSI and CSI.

Hardkernel also offers a metal cover enclosure kit which allows enough space to fit the large heatsink to dissipate heat efficiently from the board.

The SBC is compatible with HDMI display and has a four lane MIPI DSI connector. A demonstration of the ODROID-M1 dual-display capability is shown below.

Specifications listed for the ORDROID-M1 include:

• Processor System:
  • Rockchip RK356B2 processor (up to 2.0GHz)
  • ARM Mali-G52 MP2 GPU
  • 0.8 TOPS NPU AI accelerator
• Memory/Storage:
  • 1x LPDDR4 RAM
  • 4GB or 16GB with 32-bit bus width
  • 1x SATA 3.0 port
  • 1x M.2 NVMe M-key socket
  • 16MB SPI flash
  • 1x MicroSD card slot  
• Connectivity:
  • Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 port
• Display/Graphics:
  • 1x HDMI 2.0 port
  • 1x four-lane MIDI DSI interface
• Audio:
  • 1x Mono Speaker Output (1.3W at 8Ω load) 
  • 1 x 3.5mm Headphone Jack
• USB: 
  • 2x USB 3.0 ports
  • 2x USB 2.0 ports
  • 1x Micro USB2.0 Device only
• Other Features:
  • 1 x MIPI-CSI Camera Interface (15 pin)
  • 1 x MIPI-DSI LCD Interface (31 pin)
  • 40x GPIO Pins 
  • LED indicators
• Power:
  • 12V/2A DC input (7.5V to 15.5V support range)
• Dimensions:
  • 90 x 122 x 16mm (board)
  • 100 x 123x 19mm (heatsink) 

 Further information

Hardkernel revealed that the prices for their newest ODROID-M1 start at $70(4GB RAM) and $90 for their upgraded version (8GB RAM). The company also pledged to provide B2B support to their customers for at least the next fifteen years(2036 or beyond). For more additional information refer to the Hardkernel website.