# 130: Criminal Training Camp

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2015-12-17
- Length: 1h 02m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-17-130-criminal-training-camp
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/embedded-ep130mp3

## Summary

Alvaro Prieto, an embedded firmware engineer at Planet Labs, discusses his transition from Apple to a startup environment and his diverse hardware and software projects. He details his reverse engineering of the Syma Proto-X quadcopter radio protocol, his experience building autonomous laser-shooting robots for DEFCON, and his creation of 'Silta,' an open-source I2C/SPI bridge tool. Prieto also shares insights on company culture, the technical challenges of testing satellite manufacturing tools, and his personal projects like a Skype video message exporter.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-17-130-criminal-training-camp#t=7) Introduction and Lightning Round
- [5:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-17-130-criminal-training-camp#t=320) Career Transition: Apple to Planet Labs
- [12:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-17-130-criminal-training-camp#t=745) Reverse Engineering the Proto-X Quadcopter
- [17:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-17-130-criminal-training-camp#t=1034) DEFCON Laser Shooting Robots
- [26:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-17-130-criminal-training-camp#t=1586) Company Culture: Apple vs. Planet Labs
- [42:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-17-130-criminal-training-camp#t=2532) Silta: Open Source I2C/SPI Bridge
- [48:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-17-130-criminal-training-camp#t=2887) Stereo Moon Photos and Future Projects

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Planet Labs (company)
- Apple (company)
- Syma Proto-X (product)
- STM32F4 (chip)
- Silta (product)
- Bus Pirate (tool)
- DEFCON (other)
- Hackaday (company)
- Skype (product)
- Rochester Institute of Technology (other)
- National Technical Institute for the Deaf (other)
- TI (company)
- Crossbow (company)
- HP Labs (company)
- Punch Through Design (company)
- Light Blue Bean (product)
- Black Hat (other)
- Daniel Suarez (other)
- Micah (other)
- Michael Osman (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An interview with Alvaro and Jen from the URE Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-10-15-an-interview-with-alvaro-and-jen-from-the-ure-podcast) (The Amp Hour)
- [017 - Supercon 2018 Part 2](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2018-11-11-017-supercon-2018-part-2) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [An Interview with Piotr Esden-Tempski](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-08-21-an-interview-with-piotr-esden-tempski) (The Amp Hour)
- [Ep 139: Furter Burner, Glowing Potato Peeler, Hacked Smartwatch, and The Last Atlas](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-10-08-ep-139-furter-burner-glowing-potato-peeler-hacked-smartwatch-and-the-last-atlas) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [004 - 0x0FF the Rails](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2017-10-13-004-0x0ff-the-rails) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)

## Citing this page

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