We need usable, expressive languages to support programmers in safely handling the multitude of inputs and outputs of embedded systems.
Through the Transterpreter project, we are working to develop small (10K), portable, efficient runtimes for expressing parallel languages for embedded control. Our efforts began with the virtual machine (for portability), and now we are beginning to explore questions of usable parallel language design.
My work on novice programmers informs our work on the design and implementation of usable tools for beginners. Fortunately for us, in the realm of parallel languages, the vast majority of programmers are novices.