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Espruino is a JavaScript interpreter for low-power Microcontrollers. This site is both a support community for Espruino and a place to share what you are working on.
@Gordon
I actually started from the other end - I just searched for optical mouse sensors and then did a quick datasheet search to see if one that I could buy had an interface that'd work with Espruino, and went from there.
Your other option is to just buy a cheap mouse or two (sometimes 'pound shops' in the UK have them for £1), crack them open, look up the IC and see if it can be interfaced to.
If you get the raw chip, often it won't come with a lens - which is actually pretty important. The sensor element is really pretty small so quite a specialist lens is required - plus you want to shine light in at an angle.
While wasteful, gutting a cheap mouse is probably the best way to get you everything you need...