# 204: Abuse Electricity (Repeat)

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2019-11-28
- Length: 55m
- Episode: 204
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-28-204-abuse-electricity-repeat
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/204-abuse-electricity-repeat

## Summary

Phoenix Perry, CTO of DoItKits and founder of Code Liberation, discusses the design and engineering of physical, non-screen-based games like 'Thrum' and 'Bot Party.' She explains the challenges of building robust hardware for intense public use, detailing the use of Precision Micro Drives actuators, Velistat pressure sensors, and machine learning on microcontrollers like the Teensy. Perry also highlights her work with DoItKits to create curriculum-aligned STEM kits and her efforts to diversify the game industry through Code Liberation.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-28-204-abuse-electricity-repeat#t=6) Introduction: Phoenix Perry and DoItKits
- [4:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-28-204-abuse-electricity-repeat#t=260) Designing 'Thrum': Haptics and Bee Behavior
- [10:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-28-204-abuse-electricity-repeat#t=653) Robustness Challenges in Physical Games
- [18:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-28-204-abuse-electricity-repeat#t=1104) Hardware Architecture and Machine Learning
- [23:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-28-204-abuse-electricity-repeat#t=1399) Building Smart Yoga Pants with Velistat
- [31:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-28-204-abuse-electricity-repeat#t=1861) DoItKits: STEM Education and Curriculum
- [37:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-28-204-abuse-electricity-repeat#t=2266) Code Liberation: Diversifying Game Development

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [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

- DoItKits (company)
- Code Liberation (other)
- Precision Micro Drives (other)
- Thrum (product)
- Bot Party (product)
- Adafruit (other)
- SparkFun (other)
- Teensy (chip)
- Velistat (material)
- LessEMF (other)
- Fusion 360 (tool)
- KiCad (tool)
- Eagle (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep 257: The Hacks and Just the Hacks](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-02-14-ep-257-the-hacks-and-just-the-hacks) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 173: EMF Camp Special Edition](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-06-17-ep-173-emf-camp-special-edition) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 376: Modern Retro Projects, Retro Modern Projects, and the Teen Years for 3D Printing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-07-03-ep-376-modern-retro-projects-retro-modern-projects-and-the-teen-years-for-3d-pri) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 336: DIY Datasette, Egg Cracking Machine, and Screwing 3D Prints](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-09-05-ep-336-diy-datasette-egg-cracking-machine-and-screwing-3d-prints) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [An Interview with Timothy Lamb](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-03-25-an-interview-with-timothy-lamb) (The Amp Hour)

## 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/2019-11-28-204-abuse-electricity-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.