# 390: Irresponsible At the Time

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2021-10-21
- Length: 1h 12m
- Episode: 390
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-10-21-390-irresponsible-at-the-time
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/390

## Summary

Tyler Hoffman, co-founder of Memfault, discusses the challenges of managing firmware updates, device diagnostics, and remote monitoring for millions of IoT devices. He draws on his experience at Pebble and Fitbit to explain why existing cloud platforms are often unsuitable for resource-constrained embedded systems, highlighting the need for secure boot, staged rollouts, and efficient heartbeat reporting. Hoffman details how Memfault’s platform helps engineers detect crashes, track battery life trends, and prioritize bugs by aggregating data from large device fleets. The conversation emphasizes the importance of defensive programming and building robust OTA systems to prevent bricking devices at scale.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-10-21-390-irresponsible-at-the-time#t=6) Introduction: Tyler Hoffman and Memfault
- [4:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-10-21-390-irresponsible-at-the-time#t=281) The Problem with Existing IoT Platforms
- [12:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-10-21-390-irresponsible-at-the-time#t=763) OTA Updates and Security Requirements
- [25:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-10-21-390-irresponsible-at-the-time#t=1501) Staged Rollouts and Fail-Safe Mechanisms
- [34:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-10-21-390-irresponsible-at-the-time#t=2066) Heartbeats, Metrics, and Battery Life
- [45:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-10-21-390-irresponsible-at-the-time#t=2708) Debugging and Log Management at Scale
- [54:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-10-21-390-irresponsible-at-the-time#t=3283) In-House vs. Outsourced Device Management
- [1:01:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-10-21-390-irresponsible-at-the-time#t=3687) Offensive Programming and Future Roles

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Memfault (company)
- Pebble (company)
- Fitbit (company)
- Zephyr (other)
- Mynewt (other)
- FreeRTOS (other)
- Espressif IDF (other)
- AWS IoT (other)
- ThreadX (other)
- MCUboot (other)
- wolfBoot (other)
- Interrupt (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Importance of Device Management in IoT Solutions | Memfault's François Baldassari](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2022-04-05-the-importance-of-device-management-in-iot-solutions-memfaults-francois-baldassa) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [Revolutionizing IoT Device Management: Updating the World with Peridio](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-08-01-revolutionizing-iot-device-management-updating-the-world-with-peridio) (Over the Air)
- [François Baldassari from Memfault on IoT Observability](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2023-02-15-francois-baldassari-from-memfault-on-iot-observability) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)
- [#002: The secrets to building secure & scalable OTA infrastructure with Nick Sinas](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2024-12-18-002-the-secrets-to-building-secure-scalable-ota-infrastructure-with-nick-sinas) (Coredump Sessions)
- [Interview with Phillip Johnston Part 2](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2022-11-29-interview-with-phillip-johnston-part-2) (The Pragmatic Embedded 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/2021-10-21-390-irresponsible-at-the-time. 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.