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The NoCAN platform

Free

Build your own internet of things for the home and the garden.

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source
Company
Omzlo
Visit Website GitHub (40 stars)

About The NoCAN platform

The NoCAN platform is an open-hardware wired IoT system designed for makers and businesses, enabling the creation of reliable networks of Arduino-compatible nodes connected via CAN bus. Each node features a 32-bit ARM Cortex microcontroller (SAMD21G18), managed by a Raspberry Pi running the PiMaster HAT. The platform supports multiple control interfaces including command-line (nocanc), smartphone apps via Blynk, MQTT, JSON/REST APIs, and a web browser. It is ideal for applications where wireless solutions are unsatisfactory, such as home automation and garden monitoring. All hardware design files are licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, and software under MIT. The company Omzlo offers complete kits and also provides consultancy services for STM32 and SAMD firmware development.

Key Features

Wired CAN bus network for reliability where wireless falls short
Arduino-compatible nodes with 32-bit ARM Cortex SAMD21G18 microcontroller
Raspberry Pi based master with PiMaster HAT
Open-hardware design (CC BY-SA 4.0) and open-source software (MIT)
Control via command-line, smartphone (Blynk), MQTT, JSON/REST API, and web browser
Dynamic address allocation and firmware update over the network
Low-level CAN bus protocol access for custom interfaces
Support for various sensors and actuators (temperature, PIR, LCD, relay, etc.)

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Reliable wired network eliminates wireless interference and range issues
  • Fully open-hardware and open-source, enabling customization and no vendor lock-in
  • Arduino-compatible boards simplify development for the maker community
  • Multiple control interfaces cater to different skill levels and use cases
  • No dependency on proprietary cloud services
  • Dynamic address assignment and over-the-air firmware updates
Cons
  • Wired only, not suitable for applications requiring mobility or remote placement
  • Requires a Raspberry Pi as the central master, adding cost and setup complexity
  • RESTful JSON API is still 'coming soon' as of the content date
  • Smaller ecosystem and community compared to mainstream IoT platforms (e.g., ESP32/Arduino)
  • Limited documentation on advanced features like security and scalability

Best For

Home automation for lighting, climate control, and securityGarden IoT: automated plant watering and environmental monitoringPIR sensor based presence detection and alarm systemsAtmospheric data collection with BME280 and DS18B20 sensorsSmart displays using RA8875 graphics driver boardRealtime clock (RTC) applications with CANZERO nodes

FAQ

Does NoCAN use the CANOpen specification?
No, NoCAN does not use CANOpen. The creators chose a custom protocol because CANOpen does not offer dynamic address allocation, firmware update over the network, and is overly complex for the target maker community.