# 132: Destruction Is Easy

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2015-12-30
- Length: 1h 01m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-30-132-destruction-is-easy
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/embedded-ep132mp3

## Summary

Michael Hill, an aerospace engineer and mentor for Innovators Robotics, discusses FIRST Robotics, a program that engages students in building robots for the FIRST STRONGHOLD competition. He details the technical constraints of the RoboRIO control system, the use of Zynq FPGAs, and the strategic decision to build custom components like magnetic encoders from AMS. Hill emphasizes the importance of community outreach, open-source design sharing on Chief Delphi, and how these factors contribute to student development and scholarship opportunities.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-30-132-destruction-is-easy#t=6) Introduction: Michael Hill and FIRST Robotics
- [1:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-30-132-destruction-is-easy#t=65) Lightning Round: Programming and Robot Preferences
- [5:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-30-132-destruction-is-easy#t=318) FIRST STRONGHOLD Game Mechanics and Disney Collaboration
- [11:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-30-132-destruction-is-easy#t=697) 2015 Game Strategy: Tote Stacking and Autonomous Control
- [16:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-30-132-destruction-is-easy#t=1002) Hardware Constraints: RoboRIO, Zynq, and Custom Sensors
- [22:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-30-132-destruction-is-easy#t=1348) Funding Models: Grants, Sponsorships, and Cost Limits
- [26:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-30-132-destruction-is-easy#t=1580) Mentor Roles and Student-Led Engineering Workflow
- [34:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-30-132-destruction-is-easy#t=2044) Build Season Timeline and Engineering Models
- [42:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-30-132-destruction-is-easy#t=2537) Volunteer Roles: Judging and Robot Inspection
- [50:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-12-30-132-destruction-is-easy#t=3021) Student Development, Scholarships, and Community Impact

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- FIRST (other)
- FIRST STRONGHOLD (other)
- Innovators Robotics (other)
- RoboRIO (chip)
- Zynq (chip)
- National Instruments (company)
- Chief Delphi (other)
- Disney (company)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- PTC Creo (tool)
- AMS (company)
- SparkFun (company)
- Adafruit (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Chaffered Chocolate Coemption](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-04-09-chaffered-chocolate-coemption) (The Amp Hour)
- [Ep 202: CNC Monks, Acrobot, Bootleg Merch, and the Rise and Fall of Megahex](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-01-20-ep-202-cnc-monks-acrobot-bootleg-merch-and-the-rise-and-fall-of-megahex) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Students Tackle PCB Design Challenge: From Schematic to Robot](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-09-16-students-tackle-pcb-design-challenge-from-schematic-to-robot) (OnTrack)
- [An Interview with Bart Dring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-04-15-an-interview-with-bart-dring) (The Amp Hour)
- [Bob Widlar, Electronic Design, FIRST Robotics - Monday, Meta Monday](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-03-08-bob-widlar-electronic-design-first-robotics-monday-meta-monday) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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