# 157: Explosion of Multicopters

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2016-06-23
- Length: 1h 23m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-06-23-157-explosion-of-multicopters
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/embedded-ep157mp3

## Summary

Robb Walters, co-founder and CTO of Flybrix, explains how his company builds LEGO-based multicopter kits to teach aerial robotics, leveraging the NXP Kinetis K20 microcontroller and MPU-9250 IMU. He details the engineering challenges of designing a cascade PID control system, the decision to use real LEGO bricks glued into the PCB for structural integrity, and the supply chain complexities of sourcing parts from secondary markets like BrickLink. Walters also discusses the transition from alpha to beta production, the use of modern C++11 in the open-source firmware, and his background in nanotechnology at Integrated Plasmonics.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-06-23-157-explosion-of-multicopters#t=6) Introduction and Guest Background
- [9:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-06-23-157-explosion-of-multicopters#t=555) Flybrix Product Concept and Physics
- [15:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-06-23-157-explosion-of-multicopters#t=934) Control Systems and Cascade PID
- [19:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-06-23-157-explosion-of-multicopters#t=1157) Hardware Design and Sensors
- [26:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-06-23-157-explosion-of-multicopters#t=1607) Production Challenges and Supply Chain
- [36:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-06-23-157-explosion-of-multicopters#t=2195) FPGA for Vision and Autonomous Flight
- [39:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-06-23-157-explosion-of-multicopters#t=2384) LEGO Branding and Secondary Market Sourcing
- [50:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-06-23-157-explosion-of-multicopters#t=3007) Open Source Firmware and Modern C++
- [1:00:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-06-23-157-explosion-of-multicopters#t=3604) State Estimation and Kalman Filters
- [1:12:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-06-23-157-explosion-of-multicopters#t=4330) Background in Nanotechnology and Future Vision

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Flybrix (product)
- NXP Kinetis K20 (chip)
- MPU-9250 (chip)
- Teensy (product)
- BrickLink (other)
- Brickowl (other)
- Osh Park (other)
- Seeed Studio (company)
- Sparktron (company)
- BMP280 (chip)
- Integrated Plasmonics (company)
- Effective Modern C++ (other)

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- [Ep 121: Crazy Bikes, DIY Flip Dots, EV Mountain Climbing, and Trippy Tripterons](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-06-04-ep-121-crazy-bikes-diy-flip-dots-ev-mountain-climbing-and-trippy-tripterons) (Hackaday Podcast)
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- [#020: The Hidden Architecture of Autonomy: How Skydio Drones Think, See, and Connect](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2026-01-29-020-the-hidden-architecture-of-autonomy-how-skydio-drones-think-see-and-connect) (Coredump Sessions)
- [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)

## 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/2016-06-23-157-explosion-of-multicopters. 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.