Tessel

Free

A openWRT based embedded system which can run Javascript.

FreeFree tier

Type

Open Source

Company

BairesDev

Visit Website GitHub (38 stars)

About Tessel

Tessel 2 is an open-source IoT and robotics development platform powered by Node.js, designed for rapid prototyping and innovation. It features a Mediatek MT7620n processor (580 MHz), 64 MB DDR2 RAM, 32 MB Flash, an Atmel SAMD21 coprocessor, dual module ports, dual USB ports, 802.11bgn WiFi, and Ethernet. The platform supports a rich ecosystem of plug-and-play modules—including accelerometer, ambient, audio, BLE, camera, climate, GPS, infrared, relay, RFID, servo, and storage—allowing developers to sense, connect, and control physical devices with minimal code. Backed by BairesDev and a global community, Tessel 2 offers extensive documentation, examples, and open-source collaboration.

Key Features

580MHz Mediatek MT7620n processor

64 MB DDR2 RAM and 32 MB Flash

48MHz Atmel SAMD21 coprocessor

2 Tessel Module ports for plug-and-play modules

2 USB ports (host and device)

802.11bgn WiFi and Ethernet

microUSB power/communication

Runs real Node.js/io.js

Open-source hardware and software

Rich module ecosystem: accelerometer, ambient, audio, BLE, camera, climate, GPS, infrared, relay, RFID, servo, storage

Pros & Cons

Pros

Plug-and-play modules simplify hardware integration
Runs full Node.js for familiar JavaScript development
Open-source community and extensive documentation
Reliable WiFi and Ethernet for stable connectivity
Dual USB ports expand storage and peripheral options
Onboard coprocessor handles low-level I/O for real-time tasks

Cons

Limited RAM (64 MB) and Flash (32 MB) may constrain complex Node.js applications
Hardware availability and community size may be smaller than mainstream SBCs like Raspberry Pi

Best For

IoT prototyping and educationRobotics control (servo motors, relays)Environmental monitoring (temperature, humidity, light, sound)Wireless sensor networks (BLE, WiFi)Camera streaming and image captureGPS tracking and location-based projectsRFID tag reading for access controlAudio playback and sound loops

FAQ

What is Tessel 2?

Tessel 2 is an open-source development platform for IoT and robotics, powered by Node.js. It features a Mediatek MT7620n processor, dual module ports, USB, WiFi, and Ethernet, along with a wide range of plug-and-play modules for sensing, controlling, and connecting devices.

What has changed with Tessel 2 compared to the original Tessel?

New features on Tessel 2 include extremely reliable WiFi, an Ethernet jack, two USB ports, and a system that runs real Node.js/io.js. It also added support for scaling up with board customization options.