They're not going to be manipulating low-level devices directly. They're going to be communicating via device drivers from JS. I'll bet $100 the device driver

They're not going to be manipulating low-level devices directly. They're going to be communicating via device drivers from JS. I'll bet $100 the device drivers will all be written in C. The thing people need to learn about Arduino is that it's not important that it's a microcontroller. It's important that it lets you drive and read electrical signals from a PC environment. This lets people do that. Sure, it's like visiting a gated resort in Jamaica on vacation instead of being on your own, but many people like to feel safe and get things done without having to learn too many new skills.