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JavaScript and the Internet of Things

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Microcontrollers

2:53 with Andrew Chalkley

The second JavaScript IoT strategy is to use JavaScript microcontrollers - small efficient single-purpose computers.

JavaScript Microcontroller Runtimes

Examples of JavaScript Microcontrollers

ESP8266 Flashing Tools

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    Microcontrollers are specialized instant-on computers with small amounts of 0:00
    processing power and RAM, but they have incredibly fast IEO. 0:05
    Because they are specialized for single uses, they are often power efficient. 0:10
    The low amount of processing power doesn't prevent them from running an interpreted 0:14
    language though. 0:18
    There are a number of specialized JavaScript Runtimes that can run on 0:20
    microcontrollers, like Espruino, Smart.js, XS6 and Samsung's JerryScript. 0:25
    The Espruino JavaScript Runtime first came out on the Espruino board. 0:32
    This wasn't WiFi enabled and cost around $40. 0:37
    The Espruino Pico again ran the JavaScript Runtime, but 0:41
    didn't have any WiFi connectivity either. 0:45
    It was however, smaller and more embeddable. 0:48
    It was also cheaper at $25. 0:51
    The Espruino Runtime has been ported to work with other microcontrollers, 0:54
    like the ESP8266, which is a microcontroller that is WiFi enabled and 0:58
    only costs $2 and here it is next to a quarter. 1:04
    Because of its low cost and connectivity, it's been embedded in products 1:08
    like smart plugs, where you can switch things off via an app on your phone. 1:13
    In order to get up and running with development, companies like 1:17
    Adafruit have created development breakout boards to aid in rapid prototyping. 1:21
    This board enables you to wire up components with ease. 1:26
    The Feather HUZZAH has an ESP8266 embedded in it, 1:30
    with a place for a rechargeable battery and charging circuitry. 1:34
    The ESP8266 doesn't have JavaScript on it. 1:38
    You need to install it on the device. 1:43
    This installation process is called flashing. 1:45
    You can use the Python based tool, the ESP tool or a graphical user interface, 1:48
    Flasher.js, to install a JavaScript Runtime on the device. 1:54
    The Kinoma Element comes with ES6 built into it, no flashing is required. 1:59
    It costs around $25, and has WiFi built in. 2:05
    The pros for microcontrollers are that they're instant-on, 2:09
    they have a faster IO than single board computers, and 2:13
    they're small and embeddable, so you can put them in lots of different projects. 2:17
    Unfortunately, the tooling is immature right now. 2:22
    You have to download specific editors for each one of these Runtimes. 2:25
    If you're used to using MPM and you're an editor you're out of luck here. 2:30
    If you wanted to use a sensor or a screen from a third party, 2:34
    there is limited support in terms of libraries for JavaScript. 2:37
    If you are using C or C++, most vendors have libraries and example code. 2:41
    You often find yourself having to write the code for 2:47
    yourself to support off the shelf devices. 2:50

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