How to get started with platform-independent Rust drivers for MEMS sensors

Maxime_MARCHETTO · ‎2025-11-10

Introduction

In a significant advancement to our software ecosystem for embedded sensor applications, ST has established a GitHub repository with platform-independent Rust drivers for MEMS sensors. The repository, accessible at https://github.com/STMicroelectronics/st-mems-rust-drivers, offers a comprehensive collection of Rust libraries designed to facilitate and expedite the integration of ST MEMS sensors across a broad spectrum of embedded platforms.

Expanding MEMS sensor support in Rust

Rust is increasingly recognized for its powerful memory safety guarantees, modern language features, and rapidly expanding ecosystem. It is gaining widespread adoption among embedded developers and is endorsed by leading technology companies like Google, Microsoft, and Meta as a reliable, industry-standard programming language.

We have developed a suite of platform-independent Rust drivers that deliver robust, efficient, and user-friendly interfaces for a wide range of MEMS sensors. The repository contains dedicated Rust driver submodules for each sensor, standalone example projects, comprehensive integration guidelines, and auxiliary utility tools.

The following Nucleo expansion boards and sensors are already supported:

X-NUCLEO-IKS4A1: LSM6DSO16IS, LIS2MDL, LIS2DUXS12, LPS22DF, STTS22H, LSM6DSV16X
X-NUCLEO-IKS5A1: ISM6HG256X, ISM330IS, IIS2DULPX, ILPS22QS, IIS2MDC
Additional sensors: LSM6DSV320X, LSM6DSV80X, LPS22HH, LIS2DUX12, ISM330DHCX, IIS2DLPC

Developers engaged in applications ranging from industrial automation and IoT devices to wearables and consumer electronics can therefore leverage the advantages of Rust while harnessing the precision and intelligent capabilities of ST MEMS sensors.

Cross-platform compatibility and embedded framework support

A distinguishing feature of these Rust drivers is their platform-agnostic design. The libraries are engineered to support multiple embedded frameworks that allow developers to select the most appropriate environment for their projects without compromising functionality or performance.

Each driver package includes practical application examples tailored for two widely adopted embedded Rust frameworks:

stm32f4xx-hal: A hardware abstraction layer (HAL) for STM32F4 series microcontrollers, which are very widely deployed in embedded development.
embassy: An asynchronous embedded framework that facilitates concurrent programming and efficient resource management on embedded devices.

These examples are compatible with the STM32F401RE Nucleo development board and corresponding X-NUCLEO MEMS sensor expansion board, providing a ready-to-use platform for prototyping and evaluation processes.

Simplified access and integration via crates.io

To facilitate adoption, all Rust libraries are published on crates.io, the official Rust package registry. This publication enables developers to seamlessly include ST drivers as dependencies in their Rust projects, benefiting from standardized versioning, dependency management, and enhanced community visibility.

The availability on crates.io also ensures that updates and improvements to the drivers are readily accessible, fostering an active and evolving support ecosystem around ST MEMS sensor software.

Significance of this release

The publication of this repository underscores our commitment to delivering state-of-the-art, developer-centric tools that empower engineers to innovate with greater speed and security. By adopting Rust, we’re addressing the increasing need for safe and efficient embedded software and mitigating risks associated with memory safety errors and enhancing maintainability.

The platform-independent architecture and comprehensive sensor portfolio render these drivers versatile assets for customers and partners operating across multiple sectors, including automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics.

Getting started

Developers interested in exploring the newly released Rust drivers should visit the GitHub repository at https://github.com/STMicroelectronics/st-mems-rust-drivers. The repository contains detailed documentation, setup instructions, and example projects to facilitate rapid onboarding.

Conclusion

As valued members of the embedded development community and sensor technology enthusiasts, we openly invite you to explore these drivers, provide feedback, and even contribute to the ongoing enhancement of the software ecosystem surrounding ST MEMS sensors.

We look forward to reading your ideas and questions on our MEMS and sensors forum!

Additional resources

First published on Nov 10, 2025