This document introduces JavaScript robotics and discusses how Node.js can be used both on and off microcontroller boards to build robots. It describes common microcontroller boards like Arduino, Tessel 2, and ESP8266 that robots are often built on. These boards have inputs and outputs that can be used to build sensors and actuators. The document then outlines three techniques for using Node.js in robotics: running Node.js directly on a board like Tessel 2, interfacing with a board like Arduino from a separate Node.js program, and using Node.js as an Internet of Things service to control a device like an ESP8266-powered tiara over MQTT. Resources for further learning are also provided

1. INTRO TO JAVASCRIPT ROBOTICS
Suz Hinton
@noopkat

2. ABOUT ME
 Technical Evangelist at Microsoft
 Open source hardware author
 Member of NodeJS Hardware Working Group

7. AGENDA
 Microcontroller boards
 Inputs and Outputs
 NodeJS on-board
 NodeJS off-board
 NodeJS as an IoT service
 Resources

8. Q: WHAT ARE MOST ROBOTS MADE OF?
A: MICROCONTROLLERS
A: INPUTS AND OUTPUTS

9. Q: WHAT ARE MOST ROBOTS MADE OF?
A: MICROCONTROLLERS
A: INPUTS AND OUTPUTS

10. Arduino Uno
Processor - ATMega328P
Speed: 8MHz
Memory: 32Kb
Language: C++
Price: $24.95 USD
Good for:
Offline, simple projects
Gotchas:
No built in internet, modules are
available

11. Tessel 2
Processor - Mediatek MT7620n
Speed: 580MHz
Memory: 32Gb flash, 64Mb RAM
Language: NodeJS, Rust
Price: $44.95 USD
Extras: built in Wi-Fi, runs Linux
Good for:
Online, processor intensive projects

12. ESP8266
Processor – 32bit Tensilica Xtensa LX106
Speed: 80MHz
Memory: 1MB Flash
Language: Lua, C++
Price: $5 USD
Extras: built in Wi-Fi, TLS capable
Good for:
Online, portable, low power projects
Gotchas:
Hard to work with

13. Q: WHAT ARE MOST ROBOTS MADE OF?
A: MICROCONTROLLERS
A: INPUTS AND OUTPUTS

14. INPUTS
‘read only’
 sensors
 switches
 data

15. INPUT EXAMPLES
 light sensor
 touch sensor
 humidity sensor
 api response

16. OUTPUTS
‘write only’
 state
 data
 movement

17. OUTPUT EXAMPLES
 LED (light)
 speaker
 motor
 data stream

18. YOU COULD MAKE…
{
precipitation: 6,
probability: 100
}

19. TECHNIQUES

20. #1 : NODEJS ON BOARD
with the Tessel2

21. $ npm install –g t2-cli
$ npm install ambient-attx4
var tessel = require('tessel');
var ambientlib = require('ambient-attx4');
var ambient = ambientlib.use(tessel.port['A']);
ambient.getLightLevel();
ambient.getSoundLevel();

22. #2 : NODEJS OFF BOARD
with the Arduino Uno

23. $ npm install –g firmata-party
$ firmata-party uno
$ npm install johnny-five
var five = require(‘johnny-five’);
var board = new five.Board();
board.on(‘ready’, function() {
var led = new five.Led(13);
led.blink(500);
});

24. #3 : NODEJS AS AN IOT SERVICE
with the ESP8266

25. IOT TIARA

26. IoT Tiara
ESP8266‘brain’
3D printed band + crystals
RGB LEDs for lighting
Controlled by chat box on twitch.tv
Connects to MQTT broker (Azure IoT Hub)
NodeJS server sends commands via broker
youtu.be/mxmfkz-kXX0

28. Azure
IoT Hub tiara
Azure
Web App
Twitch chat
IRC channel

29. Azure
IoT Hub tiara
Azure
Web App
color
picke
r.html

30. #1 : NODEJS ON BOARD
#2 : NODEJS OFF BOARD
#3 : NODEJS AS AN IOT SERVICE

31. RESOURCES
 tessel.io
 arduino.cc
 adafruit.com
 nodebots.io
 johnny-five.io
microsoft.com/en-us/internet-of-things
 github.com/noopkat/iot-tiara