# 130: Criminal Training Camp (Repeat)

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2018-05-25
- Length: 1h 02m
- Episode: 130
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-25-130-criminal-training-camp-repeat
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/130-criminal-training-camp-repeat

## Summary

Alvaro Prieto, an embedded firmware engineer at Planet Labs, discusses his transition from Apple to the startup, highlighting the cultural shift from siloed secrecy to radical transparency. He details several personal hardware projects, including reverse-engineering the Parallax Proto-X quadcopter's radio protocol and building autonomous laser-shooting robots for DEFCON. Prieto also shares insights on his open-source tool, Silta, which bridges USB to I2C/SPI for sensor testing, and reflects on the importance of community encouragement in maker culture.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-25-130-criminal-training-camp-repeat#t=7) Introduction: Alvaro Prieto and Planet Labs
- [5:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-25-130-criminal-training-camp-repeat#t=320) Working at Planet Labs: Satellite Manufacturing and Reliability
- [10:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-25-130-criminal-training-camp-repeat#t=651) Personal Projects: Flux Capacitor and Proto-X Quadcopter Hacking
- [17:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-25-130-criminal-training-camp-repeat#t=1041) DEFCON Laser Shooting Robots: From BB Guns to Galvanometers
- [26:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-25-130-criminal-training-camp-repeat#t=1586) Culture Comparison: Apple vs. Planet Labs
- [42:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-25-130-criminal-training-camp-repeat#t=2532) Silta: Open Source I2C/SPI Bridge Tool
- [48:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-25-130-criminal-training-camp-repeat#t=2887) Stereo Moon Photography: A Family Legacy Project

## 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)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Planet Labs (company)
- Apple (company)
- Proto-X (product)
- DEFCON (other)
- Silta (product)
- STM32F4 (chip)
- Parallax (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [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)
- [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)
- [001 - Success!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2017-08-15-001-success) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [Ep 378: C Coders, Ceramic Printers, and Shadow Archives](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-07-17-ep-378-c-coders-ceramic-printers-and-shadow-archives) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [073 - REPP.show](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2025-02-01-073-repp-show) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering 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/2018-05-25-130-criminal-training-camp-repeat. 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.