Sun SPOT

Sun Microsystems released their Small Programmable Object Technology (SPOT) as open source earlier this year. SPOT fits in the same category as the Bug Labs BUG that I’ve previously blogged about. SPOT seems to be less modular than the BUG. Both platforms are Java based (SPOT is J2ME) and they also feature some of the same type of hardware. The Sun SPOT device measures 70 x 41 x 23 mm and contains features the following hardware sweetness:

• IEEE 802.15.4 (forms the basis for ZigBee) with integrated antenna
• 3-axis accelerometer (with two range settings: 2G or 6G)
• Temperature sensor
• Light sensor
• Tri-color LEDs
• 6 analog inputs readable by an ADC
• 2 momentary switches
• 5 general purpose I/O pins and 4 high current output pins

SPOT’s main advantage over the BUG is that it has built-in communication. Bug Labs are probably hard at work to build a communication module as well to make it more desirable.

Edit (2008-07-19): Clarified the relation between IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee.