Syntax - Tasty Web Development Treats Supper Club × JavaScript on Hardware, Micro Controllers, ESP32 with Nick Hehr
Jun 16, 2023
Nick Hehr, a staff engineer at Betterment and a microcontroller enthusiast, shares his passion for integrating JavaScript with hardware. He discusses the joys of running JavaScript on microcontrollers like the ESP32 and highlights beginner projects that can kickstart creative building. The conversation dives into innovative uses of RGB LEDs in home automation, the importance of community resources in hardware programming, and exciting upcoming projects that blend functionalities of technology and creativity. It's a perfect mix for aspiring hardware hackers!
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Pebble Smartwatch Beginnings
- Nick Hehr's JavaScript on hardware journey began with the Pebble smartwatch, where he built apps using a cloud IDE.
- He explored early JavaScript on-device implementations like Rocky.js, built on Samsung's JerryScript engine.
TESL2 and Offline IoT
- Nick's initial project involved the TESL2 dev board, aiming to run a Node.js server on a device for offline functionality.
- This exploration predated his understanding of edge computing and involved using OpenWRT, a Linux OS for routers.
Microcontroller Categories and Constraints
- Microcontrollers fall into two main categories: small Linux computers (like TESL and Raspberry Pi) and those unable to run Node.js due to limitations.
- Memory, architecture, and storage constraints influence microcontroller choice, with Node.js runtime size impacting embedded systems.
