Hardware Podcasts

420: Googly Eyes and Top Hats

Embedded.fm · 14 Jul 2022 · 1h 05m · Episode 420

What this episode covers

Dan White, CEO of Filament Games, discusses the design of educational games, including their robot simulator RoboCo and its multiplayer version, RoboCo Sports League, on the Roblox platform. He explains how Filament Games uses Unity to build platform-agnostic learning experiences that teach mechanical engineering and problem-solving through authentic game mechanics. White argues that games are uniquely suited for teaching higher-order thinking and soft skills, contrasting them with less effective drill-and-practice methods. He also addresses the challenges of assessment in games and the importance of designing for specific platforms like VR and tablets to maximize engagement.

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Filament Games
Products
RoboCo, RoboCo Sports League, Kerbal Space Program, Stardew Valley, Lemonade Stand, Civilization
Tools
Unity, Unreal
Also
Roblox

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 26m

    An Interview with Zach Barth of Zachtronics

    Zach Barth, founder of the game studio Zachtronics, discusses his company's niche of making open-ended puzzle games for engineers, focusing on the design and reception of their latest title, Shenzhen I/O. He explains how the studio evolved from a solo hobbyist project to a small team, detailing the acquisition by Alliance and the creative freedom it provides. Barth also covers the technical challenges of designing custom assembly languages for games like TIS 100 and Shenzhen I/O, the use of player metrics to balance difficulty, and the intersection of gaming, education, and engineering culture.

    Embedded firmwareStarting a product company
    8 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 10m

    An Interview with Simone Giertz

    Simone Giertz, CEO of Artificial Stupidity and host at Tested, discusses her transition from a Maker in Residence at Punch Through to building 'shitty robots' for entertainment. She explains how combining comedy with hardware engineering helped her reach a mass audience, contrasting her approach with traditional educational content from companies like Adafruit and SparkFun. Giertz also details her experiences at CES, her struggles with mechanical engineering and sourcing parts for potential maker kits, and her philosophy on 'beginner's mind' in learning new skills like welding and 3D modeling.

    Prototyping & iterationIndustrial & consumer product design
    6 chapters

  • How I Built This · 1h 01m

    Roblox: David Baszucki

    David Baszucki, founder of Roblox, explains how he pivoted from educational physics software (Knowledge Revolution) to building a virtual platform with co-founder Erik Cassel. He details the technical challenges of creating a scalable physics engine, the decision to use 'programmer art' for avatars to prioritize function over form, and the critical pivot to a virtual currency (Robux) and user-generated content via Roblox Studio. Baszucki also discusses the company's early bootstrapping, the impact of Cassel's death, and the massive growth during the pandemic.

    Starting a product companyValidation & product-market fit
    7 chapters

  • The Robo Success Podcast · 30m

    Ep. 14: Zero to H.I.R.O.: The Path to Becoming a Full-Stack Mechatronics Engineer

    Joseph Casebeer, Founder and CEO of Takamori Robot, discusses his educational robotics kit, Hero, which uses a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller to teach embedded systems and hardware fundamentals. He explains the transition from graphical programming to raw code, emphasizing that deep technical knowledge is essential for debugging and optimizing in an AI-driven industry. Casebeer also highlights a partnership with Real Engineers, a hiring platform that evaluates candidates based on project portfolios rather than resumes, arguing that hands-on experience with hardware is critical for career success.

    Microcontrollers & dev platformsCareers & education
    8 chapters

  • Making It · 1h 14m

    539: My Ai Powered Ergonomic Chair

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the decline of physical controls in modern electronics, citing the Slate Truck's analog design and the annoyance of touchscreens in cars. They debate the impact of AI on maker education, with Diresta warning that bypassing learning CAD and coding creates long-term skill gaps, while Clagett argues for maintaining deep tool mastery. Picciuto shares his experience building 11 steel boxes for Carhartt under a tight deadline and reflects on how AI tools like auto-generated CNC paths bypass the learning of feeds and speeds.

    Industrial & consumer product designAI & machine learning
    8 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Embedded.fm. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.