QUEENS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--World Maker Faire – EarthMake today introduced the arLCD. The arLCD is the easiest way to add a touchscreen Graphical User Interface to Arduino based projects used in the IOT “Internet of Things” and Maker marketplaces. Furthermore the arLCD has the Arduino built in reducing size, complexity and cost. The arLCD “all-in-one” modular design unites a 3.5 inch color LCD, touchscreen, 16-bit GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and mounting bracket, with the Arduino development environment. The arLCD Arduino Library provides users quick customization of macros, graphical objects, fonts, and images, thereby shortening the user touchscreen interface design. Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It is intended for electronics designers, hobbyists, artists and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments.

“LCD has 64% more display area than a 2.8”

The arLCD features a 3.5 inch, 320 x 240 resolution, 65K colors, 250 nit brightness LCD with integrated resistive touchscreen. This intelligent control module is highlighted by a 16-bit GPU, 4 megabytes of flash memory and USB 2.0. The arLCD operates from 6 to 9 volts, draws less than 200mA, and provides a -20 to 60°C operating temperature range. The arLCD is available immediately for $89.00.

Randy Schafer, EarthMake founder, exclaimed, “The arLCD can re-ignite the Arduino Marketplace, allowing Makers to develop products that have a smart-phone like graphical interface!” With the arLCD Arduino Library and the Arduino Shield I/O, users can make 3D printer controllers, robot interfaces, home automation controllers, wireless sensors and even kinetic art. With over 300 I/O shields compatible with the arLCD covering every wireless, I/O, and protocol standard embedded systems, development is like building with blocks. Macros and GUI widgets allow users to build a user interface prototype FAST - within hours, not days!

According to Richard Obermeyer, Vice President of Engineering at EarthMake, “The only close alternative to arLCD functionality is a very slow, software driven, 2.8" LCD shield that uses almost all your I/O pins! This is a full featured, 'smart' ezLCD GPU with the Arduino Uno on the same PCB, in a thin, easy to integrate package taking no I/O pins other than the hardware serial port (D0 & D1) that is used for GPU communication and Arduino programming. The 3.5" LCD has 64% more display area than a 2.8" LCD Shield. We leveraged the hardware and software API of 'ezLCD' and the Arduino open source Uno R3 design to provide a complete Touchscreen embedded system that boots in less than a second. The arLCD flash drive give users the ability to simply copy fonts, and bitmaps to the arLCD from a PC via USB. The Arduino IDE allows for rapid product development under Windows, Linux and OSX operating systems.”

EarthMake is a division of EarthLCD, a manufacturer of industrial and embedded LCD products. EarthMake licensed the award-winning ezLCD technology from EarthLCD, the recognized leader in smart touch LCDs. For further information, contact Randy Schafer, CEO, 3184-J Airway Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92626; Tel: 949-248-2333, Fax: 949-248-2392, randyschafer@gmail.com or visit www.Earthmake.com.