# 85: Stalked by Hoopers and Engineers

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2015-01-21
- Length: 1h 03m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-01-21-85-stalked-by-hoopers-and-engineers
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/embedded-ep85mp3

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-01-21-85-stalked-by-hoopers-and-engineers#t=6) Introduction: Scott Miller and Argent Data Systems
- [1:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-01-21-85-stalked-by-hoopers-and-engineers#t=66) Background: Ham Radio Kits and Open Tracker
- [5:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-01-21-85-stalked-by-hoopers-and-engineers#t=354) Origin of the Hyperion Hoop and Festival Launch
- [12:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-01-21-85-stalked-by-hoopers-and-engineers#t=724) Hardware Architecture: ColdFire, HCS08, and WS2812B LEDs
- [14:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-01-21-85-stalked-by-hoopers-and-engineers#t=898) Sensor Fusion and Motion Processing Challenges
- [18:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-01-21-85-stalked-by-hoopers-and-engineers#t=1117) User Interface: Mass Storage, Photoshop, and Audacity Integration
- [21:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-01-21-85-stalked-by-hoopers-and-engineers#t=1313) Stage Integration: DMX512 Bridge and Bluetooth Control
- [31:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-01-21-85-stalked-by-hoopers-and-engineers#t=1864) Community, Documentation, and Open Source Strategy
- [47:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-01-21-85-stalked-by-hoopers-and-engineers#t=2838) Manufacturing, Pricing, and Scaling Production
- [55:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-01-21-85-stalked-by-hoopers-and-engineers#t=3321) Fulfillment Automation and Future Product Lines

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Argent Data Systems (company)
- Hyperion Hoop (product)
- WS2812B (chip)
- ColdFire V1 (chip)
- Bosch BMX055 (chip)
- HCS08 (chip)
- RN41 (chip)
- RN42 (chip)
- DMX512 (other)
- Future Hoop (product)
- Open Tracker (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [From B2C to B2B IoT with Davyeon Ross, Co-Founder & President at ShotTracker Inc](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2023-07-06-from-b2c-to-b2b-iot-with-davyeon-ross-co-founder-president-at-shottracker-inc) (Over the Air)
- [Ep 280: TV Tubes as Amplifiers, Smart Tech in Sportsballs, and Adrian Gives Us the Fingie](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-07-19-ep-280-tv-tubes-as-amplifiers-smart-tech-in-sportsballs-and-adrian-gives-us-the) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [An Interview with Jeff Rowberg - Mini Module Master](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-07-24-an-interview-with-jeff-rowberg-mini-module-master) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Vic Aprea - Federated Firmware Functionalism](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-05-22-an-interview-with-vic-aprea-federated-firmware-functionalism) (The Amp Hour)
- [Brewing Electronics with Eli Hughes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-10-05-brewing-electronics-with-eli-hughes) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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