Using Node-RED on microcontrollers

Could Node-RED generate code for MCUs? Up until now, it provides an elegant low-code/no-code solution for IoT but requires a single-board computer to run, like a Raspberry Pi 4B.

The Moddable SDK implements JavaScript on MCUs and thus allows to run a Node-RED flow on them.

​Supported hardware includes ESP32, Raspberry Pi Pico W, among other options, and proprietary boards like the Moddable Two, built around an ESP32 and a 320×240 touch display

The project relies on different components:

1. The flow is designed with Node-RED.
2. ​Node-RED MCU Edition exports it to JavaScript.
3. Moddable translates the JavaScript project into C++ code.
4. Moddable calls the tool-chain of the board to build and link, upload and launch the project.
5. Moddable opens an optional debugger.

Node-RED now includes a new pane, MCU with two parts: on top, the selection of the flows to consider for the MCU; below the choice of the targeted board and different options.

Targeting MCUs with Node-RED might not be the most optimised solution, especially when displaying a dashboard, but this approach speeds up the development on interfaces for MQTT and GUI.

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