Cool Hardware/Devices that can be programmed in .NET?

Question

I'd love to start writting managed code for external devices and sensors. Are there any devices that come to mind that can be coded against using .NET? Any suggestions?

Edit: The main thing I'm trying to do is learn how device programming works. No better way to do that in my opinion than to try to do something fun and cool.

Answer 1

USB Missile Launcher

Answer 2

Two products that make it super easy to interface with external devices are Phidgets and the Serializer. Phidgets come with an easy .NET API and includes a variety of hardware and software sensors and controllers. For a lot of cool Phidgets projects, and .NET hardware projects in general, check out the Coding4Fun Blog.

The Serializer, on the other hand, is geared toward robotics but also comes with a great .NET API. For a demonstration of the Serializer, there is a great article in Robot Magazine Issue 19 by Clint Rutkas (one of the people in charge of Coding4Fun).

TinyCLR, on the other hand, provides three different devices in their FEZ (Freakin' Easy) series that can be programmed using the .NET framework and run independent of a PC to interface with sensors and devices.

Answer 3

The list will be huge, I don't see any reason why a device could not be controlled by .NET. In a last resort solution using DllImport and direct IoControl calls to the device drivers will (assumed you know the interfaces) work well.

Answer 4

Microsoft Robotics

Coding4Fun: Blog & Developer Kit

Answer 5

You should look at the Arduino or some variant - it can interface with the USB port, and the controller itself is programmed in a C-style language.

You can then interface with (basically) any sensor/device/tool you want, and you can write code in any language that can interface with the USB.

Answer 6

Lego Mindstorms NXT

• http://mindstorms.lego.com/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_Mindstorms_NXT
• http://nxtnet.codeplex.com/

Answer 7

There are lots of Home Automation APIs for .Net.

Answer 8

The Microsoft .NET Micro Framework --> http://www.microsoft.com/netmf/default.mspx

Answer 9

I had a lot of fun programming with the OCZ NIA. It is essentially EEG that allows you to use biofeedback in your software. I wrote some code that translates your alpha and beta brainwaves into MIDI and DMX for synthesizer and lighting control. The possibilities though are endless.

It uses USB HID which many devices use, so it was a good introduction. There is a handful of code over at http://code.google.com/p/nia-brew/, and you'll find the OCZ NIA forums very helpful in getting started.

Answer 10

Arduino is one of the better ones out there I think.

Answer 11

I know you said .Net, but the Arduino is a fun device to play around with. http://www.arduino.cc/

Answer 12

The Netduino just came out, and it uses the .NET Micro Framework: --> http://www.netduino.com/