# 382: Playing In the Desert

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2021-07-29
- Length: 54m
- Episode: 382
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-07-29-382-playing-in-the-desert
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/382

## Summary

Leah Buechley, an associate professor at the University of New Mexico and director of the Hand and Machine research group, discusses her work at the intersection of computer science, electronics, and craft. She details the development of the LilyPad Arduino and Chibitronics paper circuits, and describes current projects involving computational ceramics, interactive murals using conductive paints, and paper-based micro-mechanisms driven by tiny stepper motors. The conversation also covers her views on AI-generated art, specifically VQGAN and CLIP, and her research into embedding smart textiles into aerospace composites.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-07-29-382-playing-in-the-desert#t=7) Introduction: Leah Buechley and Hand and Machine Research Group
- [1:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-07-29-382-playing-in-the-desert#t=65) Lightning Round: Engineering, Craft, and AI Art
- [6:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-07-29-382-playing-in-the-desert#t=362) Hand and Machine: Bridging Hand and Machine in New Mexico
- [9:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-07-29-382-playing-in-the-desert#t=545) Computational Ceramics: Laser Etching and 3D Printing
- [24:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-07-29-382-playing-in-the-desert#t=1474) Interactive Murals: Conductive Paints and Outdoor Electronics
- [30:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-07-29-382-playing-in-the-desert#t=1812) Chibitronics and LilyPad Arduino: From Academic Research to Kits
- [39:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-07-29-382-playing-in-the-desert#t=2374) Paper Mechanics and Tiny Stepper Motors
- [44:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-07-29-382-playing-in-the-desert#t=2650) Conductive Thread and Smart Composites for Aerospace
- [52:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-07-29-382-playing-in-the-desert#t=3126) Design Tools: Grasshopper, Rhino, and Python

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- LilyPad Arduino (product)
- Chibitronics (company)
- VQGAN (tool)
- CLIP (tool)
- SparkFun (company)
- Adafruit (company)
- Grasshopper (tool)
- Rhino (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep008: The Art Episode: Joe Kim, Strings And CRTs, Hydrogen Done 2-Ways](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-03-01-ep008-the-art-episode-joe-kim-strings-and-crts-hydrogen-done-2-ways) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep055: Most Cyberpunk Synthesizer, Data in Your Cells, Bubbly in Your Printer, & Dystopian Peepshow](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-02-21-ep055-most-cyberpunk-synthesizer-data-in-your-cells-bubbly-in-your-printer-dysto) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 211: Pocket Sundial, Origami Llama, PCB Spacemouse](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-03-24-ep-211-pocket-sundial-origami-llama-pcb-spacemouse) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 356: Nanoprinting, Vibe Coding, and Keebin' with Kristina, IN HELL!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-02-06-ep-356-nanoprinting-vibe-coding-and-keebin-with-kristina-in-hell) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [392: We Can Design Our Way Out of This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2023-03-17-392-we-can-design-our-way-out-of-this) (Making It)

## 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/2021-07-29-382-playing-in-the-desert. 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.