85: Stalked by Hoopers and Engineers

Embedded.fm · 21 Jan 2015 · 1h 03m

What this episode covers

Scott Miller, founder of Argent Data Systems, discusses his transition from building ham radio kits to creating the Hyperion Hoop, a smart hula hoop featuring WS2812B LEDs, ColdFire V1 and HCS08 processors, and a Bosch BMX055 motion sensor. He explains the engineering challenges of sensor fusion, persistence of vision, and integrating DMX512 stage lighting control, while noting the shift from a technical, male-dominated ham radio customer base to a passionate, younger, female-skewed performance community. Miller details the product's mass storage interface for Photoshop pattern editing, the decision to use Bluetooth via Microchip RN41/42 modules, and the operational scaling from garage prototypes to managing 80-hour work weeks during peak demand.

Mentioned

Companies
Argent Data Systems
Products
Hyperion Hoop, Future Hoop, Open Tracker
Chips
WS2812B, ColdFire V1, Bosch BMX055, HCS08, RN41, RN42
Also
DMX512

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