Plotly released Dash DAQ, a modern UI component library, which helps with data acquisition in Python, earlier this week. A data acquisition system (DAQ) helps collect, store, and distribute information. Dash DAQ is built on top of Plotly’s Dash (a Python framework used for building analytical web applications without requiring the use of JavaScript).
Dash DAQ consists of 16 components. These components are used for building user interfaces that are capable of controlling and reading scientific instruments. To know more about each of their usage and configuration options, check out the official Dash DAQ components page. You can use Dash DAQ with Python drivers which are provided by instrument vendors. Alternatively, you can also write your own drivers with PySerial, PyUSB, or PyVISA.
Dash DAQ is priced at $1980 as it is built with research labs in mind and is not suited currently for general python users.
To install Dash DAQ, you have to purchase it first. After you make the purchase, a download page will automatically appear via which you can download it. Only one Dash DAQ library is allotted per developer. Here are the installation steps as mentioned in the official Dash DAQ installation page.
Multiple apps of different variety have already been made using Dash DAQ. Here are some of the examples:
- Wireless Arduino Robot in Python, an app that wirelessly controls Sparki, an Arduino-based robot. Dash DAQ. Using Dash DAQ for this app gives it clean, intuitive and virtual controls to build GUIs for your hardware.
- Robotic Arm in Python, an app that allows you to operate Robotic Arm Edge. Dash DAQ’s GUI components allow you to interface with all the robot’s motors and LED. Users can even do it via their mobile device, thereby enjoying the experience of a real remote control!
- Ocean Optics Spectrometer in Python, an app which allows users to interface with an Ocean Optics spectrometer. Here Dash DAQ offers interactive UI components which are written in Python allowing you to read and control the instrument in real-time.
Apart from these few examples, there are a lot more applications that the developers at Plotly have built using Dash DAQ.
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