"Software comes from heaven when you have good hardware."  ~Ken Olsen

One challenge in learning Rust for embedded systems is navigating the variety of hardware and tools for different controllers. Going through it myself, I’ve often yearned for a single reference, beginner-friendly development board that can support multiple controllers and simplify the learning process. That’s where uFerris (micro Ferris) comes in!

uFerris is a versatile, all-in-one learner board designed to:

• Support multiple controllers on a single reference platform.

• Enable programming of standard peripherals (GPIO, Timers/Counters, Analog, PWM, Serial Comms).

• Allow learners to build a complete embedded product replica.

• Serve as a centralized reference for Rust embedded beginners.

Imagine being easily able to generate project templates for various controllers or use a board support crate that’s feature-configurable for different hardware. uFerris aims to be the reference for making it easier and more streamlined to start with embedded Rust hardware.

On September 15th, TER subscribers were polled on whether they’d be interested in such hardware, resulting in a positive outcome. The project is currently under development with a target to accept pre-orders by the end of the year.

Educational Material

uFerris will come with dedicated learning resources by becoming the learning companion for Simplified Embedded Rust. It will be fully integrated as a hands-on companion for the regularly updated Simplified Embedded Rust series—both the ESP Core Library Edition and the ESP Standard Library Edition. You’ll be able to prototype your project in the simulation world using Wokwi, then bring it to life on real hardware.

uFerris Sneak Peek 🫣

The uFerris Baseboard

At the heart of the uFerris platform is the Baseboard—the only piece of hardware you need to start your embedded learning journey. It’s equipped with components that let you practice and apply your skills across all standard peripherals. The Baseboard also features a SeeedStudio XIAO platform header, providing flexibility to work with a wide range of controllers.

Baseboard Block Diagram

Power Expansion Board

The Power Expansion Board lets the uFerris Baseboard run independently of USB power. It features a 2×AAA battery holder with a jumper, making it easy to measure current consumption for your projects. It also includes an SD card holder—perfect for learning SPI and storing or logging data directly from your applications.

The uFerris Case

The uFerris Case is a custom enclosure designed for your uFerris boards, providing them with the look and feel of a finished product while keeping everything neatly protected.

Have questions? Or even thoughts on possible features? Please reach out to [email protected]