Sun SPOT Platform
What is the Sun SPOT Platform?
The Sun Small Programmable Object Technology Platform (Sun SPOT) is a Java powered platform designed to bring the ease of Java to embedded devices. By supporting application development and debugging via standard Java IDEs such as NetBeans, the Sun SPOT Platform opens up the exciting world of embedded programming to a much broader class of developers.
The Sun SPOT Platform is powered by a specially designed small-footprint Java virtual machine, called Squawk, that can host multiple applications concurrently, and requires no underlying operating system.
We are pleased to say that the Sun SPOT Platform has been ported to the National Instruments Compact RIO. Starting in 2010, thousands of students will be able to program their FIRST robots in Java using the Sun SPOT Platform.
What devices support Sun SPOT Platform?
The best known implementation of the Sun SPOT platform is the eSPOT, a small, wireless, battery-powered device developed at Sun Labs to explore the next frontier of network computing. These devices can be used in a wide range of applications including robotics, environmental monitoring, asset tracking, proactive health care and many others. Stackable boards include application-specific sensors and actuators such as accelerometers, light detectors, temperature sensors, LEDs, push buttons and general I/O pins. The devices can be duty cycled to run for months on a single charge of their rechargeable battery.
Why use eSPOTs?
eSPOTs have been commercially available at sunspotworld.com since March 2007 and have been used in several high profile technology demonstrations with Sun customers and partners, at university courses and even art installations. They are also proving to be a popular platform for hobbyists and researchers. Sun SPOTs have been featured on Infoworld's list of Must-have gadgets and Javalobby's list of Amazing Java Applications.
The eSPOT Software Development Kit (SDK) includes the necessary documentation, code samples and software to help you develop applications for SPOTs. The SDK also includes an emulator so users that do not have any Sun SPOT devices can still develop and run applications on virtual SPOTs.
Is it Open Source?
Yes! The entire platform is open source and freely available. All of the Sun SPOT SDK (and even the eSPOT hardware) is available as open source from https://spots.dev.java.net.
Can eSPOTs be used for FRC?
The legality of using eSPOTs on FRC robots has not been determined at this point. However if you want to get a head start in what working with Java is going to be like then get the eSPOT Emulator now.
Who is using Sun SPOTs?
Sun SPOTs are used all over the world by engineers, hobbyists, artists and many others to do all sorts of great applications. Words cannot do these fantastic projects justice so please visit the links below for more information, pictures and videos.