ESP8266 Community Forum

I would have expected something like this to exist to control robot arms, but I can't find it. I want something that stays in position when released and reports 2 axes of rotation data in some format; right now I'm just jerry-rigging two potentiometers together in a 3d printed support structure. I'm sure I could find smaller pots and make something worthwhile, but if there's a product out there that already exists that would be so much better.

They actually do still exist.

I've got one lying in my parts box for about 40 years and never got to use it.
Old joysticks were analog, so if you can find one in the thrift store with a 15-pin sub-D connector, you know you've got the one you need.

Or, you could just buy a new one, there's a lot of them.
And since it's an analog signal you will be measuring, you'll also need two A/D convertors too.