# 102: The Deadly Fluffy Bunny (With WiFi)

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2015-05-27
- Length: 1h 06m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-27-102-the-deadly-fluffy-bunny-with-wifi
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/embedded-ep102mp3

## Summary

Charles Lohr, an electrical engineer at Unity Technologies and prolific hardware hacker, discusses the ESP8266, a $5 Wi-Fi module that revolutionized his hobbyist projects by allowing direct programming rather than just AT command bridging. He details the chip's architecture, including its external flash boot process, GCC toolchain setup, and limitations like 96KB of RAM, while sharing his experiences building the Neon FM arcade game and exploring audio-visual algorithms like ColorChord. Lohr also reflects on the transition from garage prototyping to commercial production, the importance of community feedback from Hackaday, and the financial realities of being a maker.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-27-102-the-deadly-fluffy-bunny-with-wifi#t=7) Introduction: Charles Lohr and the ESP8266 Revolution
- [4:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-27-102-the-deadly-fluffy-bunny-with-wifi#t=242) ESP8266 Architecture and Programming Workflow
- [15:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-27-102-the-deadly-fluffy-bunny-with-wifi#t=907) Connectivity, Security, and Wi-Fi Setup
- [21:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-27-102-the-deadly-fluffy-bunny-with-wifi#t=1301) Commercial Viability vs. Hobbyist Hacking
- [55:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-27-102-the-deadly-fluffy-bunny-with-wifi#t=3358) Neon FM Arcade Game Production and Design
- [1:00:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-05-27-102-the-deadly-fluffy-bunny-with-wifi#t=3642) Maker Career, Education, and Future Projects

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists, early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- ESP8266 (chip)
- Espressif (company)
- Electrodragon (company)
- Adafruit (company)
- SparkFun (company)
- Hackaday (company)
- Neon FM (product)
- ColorChord (product)
- WS2812 (chip)
- Unity Technologies (company)
- Planet Labs (company)
- Particle Electron (product)
- Arduino IDE (tool)
- GCC (tool)
- FTDI (chip)
- AVR (chip)
- STM LSM9DSO (chip)

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- [Ep011: Weird Keyboards, Salvaging LCD Screens, and Mike Interviews Ivan of Espressif in Shanghai](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-03-22-ep011-weird-keyboards-salvaging-lcd-screens-and-mike-interviews-ivan-of-espressi) (Hackaday Podcast)
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- [No More Naming](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-07-23-no-more-naming) (The Amp Hour)
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