Peabrain

A modern, open system for building machines — like you build software.

Why Peabrain?

Building physical machines is still stuck in the past.

• Expensive, centralized PLC systems
• Slow iteration cycles
• Specialized languages (IEC 61131-3)
• Hard to test, simulate, and collaborate

Meanwhile, software teams ship daily using modern tools.

Peabrain brings that workflow to machine control.

What is Peabrain?

Peabrain is an open, bus-centric machine control system that combines:

• ⚡ Low-cost distributed hardware (ESP32-based nodes)
• 🔌 CAN bus architecture for modular systems
• 🧠 A JavaScript/TypeScript runtime for control logic
• 🛠️ A modern developer workflow (npm-style, deploy, test, iterate)

Instead of programming a monolithic PLC, you build systems out of small nodes and control them with high-level code.

Core Idea

Machines should be built like software systems.

That means:

• Modular components
• Declarative logic
• Fast iteration
• Version control
• Simulation and testing

Architecture Overview

Hardware

• Small, dedicated nodes (GPIO, motor control, etc.)
• Connected via CAN bus
• Based on affordable microcontrollers (ESP32-C3)

Software Stack

Low-level (C++)

• Lightweight CANopen-style stack ("canopener")

Binding Layer

• Auto-generated bindings between C++ and JavaScript

High-level (JavaScript/TypeScript)

• Runs on a central Logic & Interface Unit (LIU)
• React-like patterns with hooks
• Device abstraction via profiles (e.g. MotorDevice, GpioDevice)

Example

Instead of dealing with registers and object dictionaries:

motor.targetPosition = 1000;
await motor.waitUntilReached();