# 15: Robot on the Front

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2013-08-21
- Length: 48m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-08-21-15-robot-on-the-front
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/mes-ep15-mp3

## Summary

Andreas Eieland, who runs flash microcontroller product lines at Atmel, explains the origins of the AVR processor, its Harvard architecture, and why it became the foundation of the Arduino ecosystem. He details how Atmel’s strategy of providing cheap, easy-to-use silicon and supporting open-source communities like AVR Freaks drove organic adoption by makers and students. The conversation covers the technical trade-offs between 8-bit AVR and 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0+ architectures, focusing on power consumption, cost, and the transition from prototyping to production. Eieland also highlights Atmel’s recent SAM D20 Xplained Pro development kit and the company’s expansion into Wi-Fi connectivity to support IoT applications.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-08-21-15-robot-on-the-front#t=6) Introduction: Andreas Eieland and Atmel's Background
- [1:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-08-21-15-robot-on-the-front#t=65) The Origin Story of the AVR Processor and RISC Architecture
- [5:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-08-21-15-robot-on-the-front#t=332) Atmel’s Open Source Strategy and the Rise of Arduino
- [13:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-08-21-15-robot-on-the-front#t=784) Designing the AVR: From ASIC Core to General Purpose MCU
- [20:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-08-21-15-robot-on-the-front#t=1243) 8-bit vs. 32-bit: Power, Cost, and Market Strategy
- [26:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-08-21-15-robot-on-the-front#t=1585) Maker Culture, 3D Printing, and the IoT Vision
- [45:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-08-21-15-robot-on-the-front#t=2720) Showcasing the SAM D20 Xplained Pro Development Kit

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Atmel (company)
- AVR (chip)
- Arduino (product)
- AVR Freaks (other)
- IAR (tool)
- GCC (tool)
- 8051 (chip)
- MSP430 (chip)
- Cortex-M0 (chip)
- SAM D20 (chip)
- SAM D20 Xplained Pro (product)
- OpenCores (other)
- Electric Imp (product)
- MakerBot (product)

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- [An Interview with Øyvind Janbu - Feracious Fabless Facilitator](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-05-14-an-interview-with-yvind-janbu-feracious-fabless-facilitator) (The Amp Hour)
- [Arduino's Invisible Touch with Massimo Banzi](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-06-17-arduinos-invisible-touch-with-massimo-banzi) (The Amp Hour)
- [Microcontroller Showdown: Selecting the Best One for Your Project](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2023-01-04-microcontroller-showdown-selecting-the-best-one-for-your-project) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [Arduino Uno R4, New Nordic Power EK, Prize Winning Projects!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2023-07-07-arduino-uno-r4-new-nordic-power-ek-prize-winning-projects) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Embedded Hardware with the Raspberry Pi Team](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-02-08-embedded-hardware-with-the-raspberry-pi-team) (The Amp Hour)

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