What controller(s) are programmable in C++ or BASIC? And which language do you think would be better for autonomous robots? I am hoping to purchase a controller and then take in apart and build a new one that is more specific to my needs (as in it has around 30-ish I/O pins).
There are so many microcontrollers on the market, with two major types: interpreted and compiled. Interpreted ones allow you to code in easier languages such as various flavors of BASIC. Some could argue they are less “efficient” then their counterparts because of the overhead associated.
The choice of programming language depends on your ability, experience and just plain preference. Some microcontrollers such as the arduino can be programmed in C, although they also offer libraries to encapsulate and make it easier to get going.
For advanced robots, the hardware has more impact than the language in most cases. You may want to concentrate on finding a microcontroller that offers the processing power and I/O capabilities for the project.