Proposal: WASI USB API

[Wouter01]

This early proposal suggests the addition of USB support to WASI through an interface inspired by WebUSB (and the WebUSB equivalent in node.js).

The proposed USB interface for WASI should include methods for:

• Device Enumeration (discovering connected USB devices + retrieving device information, such as the vendor ID)
• Device Communication (connecting to an USB device, reading and writing data to devices)
• Event Handlers (e.g. when a device is connected, disconnected)

Additionally, it's probably interesting to consider adding user permission for accessing USB devices.

I'm currently experimenting with WebUSB and WASI and I'm working on a proof of concept.
@Wadu436 is also looking into this.

If you have any feedback, let me know!

[merlijn-sebrechts]

FYI: I would be co-champion of this proposal to ensure continuity. I'm a researcher at Ghent University in association with imec.

Given we mainly have a research background, it would be beneficial if an interested party from the industry could join us. We're happy to collaborate on this!

[RReverser]

Hey, I'm an author of the Wasm+WebUSB backend in libusb and ported couple of projects using USB to the web (e.g. gphoto2 as an open-source example).

While I'm not strictly in hardware industry, I'd love to help with reviewing design if you need more eyes.