Programming
To control your machine, you'll need to write some code—usually both firmware (for the hardware) and possibly some software (for a computer or app interface).
| Difficulty | Cost |
|---|---|
| ⭐ ⭐ | ⭐ |
MCU
MCU (Microcontroller Unit) programming is essential for controlling the hardware in your machine. This involves writing firmware that runs directly on the microcontroller to interpret commands, control motors, and read sensor data.
While there are multiple programming languages available, C and C++ are the most commonly used in embedded systems due to their performance and hardware-level control.
Choosing the right microcontroller is important—it should have enough processing power, memory, and I/O capabilities for your application.
Popular microcontrollers include:
- STM32 – widely used in robotics, automation, and motor control
- ATmega – commonly found in Arduino boards
- ESP32 – includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
We recommend using STM32 microcontrollers for your automation projects because they are:
- ⚡ Powerful and versatile
- 🌐 Widely adopted in robotics and industrial control
- 🐞 Equipped with excellent debugging capabilities
If you want to learn STM32 programming, check out our STM32 - Basics guide.
Firmware
Firmware is the low-level software that runs on your MCU. It’s responsible for real-time tasks like interpreting commands, driving motors, and handling sensors. Well-written firmware is essential for precise, safe, and reliable machine control.
Take full advantage of AI tools like ChatGPT to help you write and debug firmware—especially if you're new to embedded programming!