# 6: Do Robot Squirrels Dream of Electric Imps...

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Length: 48m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-20-6-do-robot-squirrels-dream-of-electric-imps
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/mes-ep6-mp3

## Summary

Matt Haines of Electric Imp explains how their SD-card-sized module simplifies building connected devices by combining a Cortex-M3 processor with a custom OS and cloud platform. He details the 'Blink Up' provisioning method, the Squirrel programming language, and the division of labor between device-side and server-side code. The conversation covers pricing, factory provisioning, and comparisons to competitors like Spark Core and Bluetooth Low Energy, alongside examples like Lockitron and the Budweiser Red Light.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-20-6-do-robot-squirrels-dream-of-electric-imps#t=6) Introduction and Electric Imp Overview
- [5:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-20-6-do-robot-squirrels-dream-of-electric-imps#t=347) Hardware Form Factor and Pinout
- [2:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-20-6-do-robot-squirrels-dream-of-electric-imps#t=133) Blink Up Provisioning and Cloud Architecture
- [13:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-20-6-do-robot-squirrels-dream-of-electric-imps#t=788) Squirrel Language and Web IDE
- [18:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-20-6-do-robot-squirrels-dream-of-electric-imps#t=1121) Commercial Products and Partnerships
- [26:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-20-6-do-robot-squirrels-dream-of-electric-imps#t=1593) Live Demo: Blink Up and Hello World
- [34:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-20-6-do-robot-squirrels-dream-of-electric-imps#t=2099) Factory Production and Security
- [42:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-20-6-do-robot-squirrels-dream-of-electric-imps#t=2569) Competitors and Maker Fair

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Electric Imp (company)
- April board (product)
- Lockitron (product)
- Budweiser Red Light (product)
- Spark Core (product)
- Quirky (company)
- GE (company)
- Squirrel (other)
- Adafruit (company)
- SparkFun (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview With Brandon Harris - Impish Internet Iamatology](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-06-11-an-interview-with-brandon-harris-impish-internet-iamatology) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview With Luke Beno of Analog.io](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-10-23-an-interview-with-luke-beno-of-analog-io) (The Amp Hour)
- [Amazing hacks, singing MCUs, Raspberry Pi AI camera, tiny robot ESP32 devboards, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2024-10-03-amazing-hacks-singing-mcus-raspberry-pi-ai-camera-tiny-robot-esp32-devboards-and) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Embeetle IDE for MCUs, new Blues Starter Kit, BeagleV Fire RISC V and FPGA SBC!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2023-11-10-embeetle-ide-for-mcus-new-blues-starter-kit-beaglev-fire-risc-v-and-fpga-sbc) (The Electromaker Show)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 8](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-05-the-spark-gap-episode-8) (The Spark Gap)

## Citing this page

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