The Android 3.1 platform (also backported to Android 2.3.4) introduces Android Open Accessory support, which allows external USB hardware (an Android USB accessory) to interact with an Android-powered device in a special "accessory" mode. When an Android-powered powered device is in accessory mode, the connected accessory acts as the USB host (powers the bus and enumerates devices) and the Android-powered device acts as the device.
Android USB accessories are specifically designed to attach to Android-powered devices and adhere to a simple protocol (Android accessory protocol) that allows them to detect Android-powered devices that support accessory mode.
Accessories must also provide 500mA at 5V for charging power. Many previously released Android-powered devices are only capable of acting as a USB device and cannot initiate connections with external USB devices. Android Open Accessory support overcomes this limitation and allows you to build accessories that can interact with an assortment of Android-powered devices by allowing the accessory to initiate the connection.
Note: Accessory mode is ultimately dependent on the device's hardware and not all devices will support accessory mode. Devices that support accessory mode can be filtered using a<uses-feature> element in your corresponding application's Android manifest. For more information, see the USB Accessory Developer Guide.
The following list of distributers are currently producing Android Open Accessory compatible development boards:
- RT Corp provides an Arduino-compatible board based on the Android ADK board design.
- Microchip provides a A PIC based USB microcontroller board.
- DIY Drones provides an Arduino-compatible board geared towards RC (radio controlled) and UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) enthusiasts.
We expect more hardware distributers to create a variety of kits, so please stay tuned for further developments