I have used Platform I/O for one microcontroller project. SAM51D cpu. It doesn't have to be not that complicated and it can import just about any Arduino library. An 8bit CPU might do the job, but I think the project would benefit from 32 bit CPU @ 100MHz or more. You won't have to worry about running out of resources. Python and I imagine MicroPython too is fairly slow compared to C. One option used by Klipper in the 3D printer space is to mix Python and C, the later used for speed sensitive parts of the code.
I'm really interested in this project because I think it will add capabilities to my lathe(s).
Spajo
I'm really interested in this project because I think it will add capabilities to my lathe(s).
Spajo