# 125: I Like Cheat Codes

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2015-11-12
- Length: 1h 09m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-12-125-i-like-cheat-codes
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/embedded-ep125mp3

## Summary

Dan Shapiro, CEO of Glowforge, discusses the design and launch of the Glowforge 3D laser printer, explaining how they integrated image recognition, cloud computing, and custom optics to simplify industrial laser technology for consumers. He details the company's decision to use a cloud-first architecture to avoid local software complexity and their commitment to open-sourcing the firmware to protect user ownership. Shapiro also shares insights from his book, The Hot Seat, regarding the realities of startup leadership, fundraising, and the importance of building diverse teams.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-12-125-i-like-cheat-codes#t=6) Introduction: Dan Shapiro and Glowforge
- [1:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-12-125-i-like-cheat-codes#t=61) From Robot Turtles to Glowforge: Rediscovering Physical Making
- [4:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-12-125-i-like-cheat-codes#t=246) Why Call It a 3D Laser Printer? Marketing and Positioning
- [6:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-12-125-i-like-cheat-codes#t=385) Hardware Design: Cameras, Lenses, and Image Recognition
- [12:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-12-125-i-like-cheat-codes#t=726) Cloud Architecture vs. Local Firmware: The Software Strategy
- [16:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-12-125-i-like-cheat-codes#t=979) Open Source Firmware and Community Engagement
- [22:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-12-125-i-like-cheat-codes#t=1364) Pricing, Pre-orders, and Manufacturing Timeline
- [29:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-12-125-i-like-cheat-codes#t=1784) The CEO's Role: Leadership, Culture, and The Hot Seat
- [47:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-12-125-i-like-cheat-codes#t=2861) Startup Realities: Failure, Luck, and Employee Decisions
- [1:01:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-12-125-i-like-cheat-codes#t=3707) Hiring at Glowforge and Final Thoughts

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Glowforge (product)
- Robot Turtles (product)
- The Hot Seat (other)
- Microsoft (company)
- Google (company)
- Epilog (product)
- Nest (product)
- CDRH (other)
- FDA (company)
- FCC (other)
- UL (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [429: The Fabric of Your Lungs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-02-09-429-the-fabric-of-your-lungs) (Making It)
- [Episode 068: Love Handles and Bald Spots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-04-22-episode-068-love-handles-and-bald-spots) (Making It)
- [Google Glass & Adafruit - Obtaining Ostentatious Oculiforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-04-03-google-glass-adafruit-obtaining-ostentatious-oculiforms) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Kerry Scharfglass](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-04-06-an-interview-with-kerry-scharfglass) (The Amp Hour)
- [Ep. 8 - Ryan from V1 Engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-11-09-ep-8-ryan-from-v1-engineering) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-11-12-125-i-like-cheat-codes. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.