# 454: Printf Hello

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2023-07-06
- Length: 1h 15m
- Episode: 454
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-07-06-454-printf-hello
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/454

## Summary

Uri Shaked, creator of Wokwi and Tiny Tapeout, explains how Tiny Tapeout democratizes ASIC design by leveraging open-source PDKs and a shared mask strategy to offer chip manufacturing for around $100. He details the technical challenges of building Wokwi, a web-based simulator for embedded systems, including reverse-engineering processor instruction sets and complex peripheral behaviors like SHA and SPI. Shaked also outlines his business strategy, which involves selling space on silicon via Tiny Tapeout and offering Wokwi through a freemium model, VS Code integration, and an on-premise CI/CD solution for professional users.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-07-06-454-printf-hello#t=6) Introduction: Uri Shaked and his projects
- [1:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-07-06-454-printf-hello#t=114) Tiny Tapeout: Open source ASIC design and manufacturing
- [7:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-07-06-454-printf-hello#t=437) The economics of Tiny Tapeout: Masks and shared designs
- [14:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-07-06-454-printf-hello#t=864) Wokwi: Web-based embedded system simulation
- [27:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-07-06-454-printf-hello#t=1671) Reverse engineering processors and peripherals in Wokwi
- [43:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-07-06-454-printf-hello#t=2590) Supporting languages and toolchains in Wokwi
- [53:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-07-06-454-printf-hello#t=3189) Wokwi business model: VS Code, CI, and Tiny Tapeout
- [1:01:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-07-06-454-printf-hello#t=3706) Community features: Voting, dancing servos, and odd requests

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Wokwi (product)
- Tiny Tapeout (product)
- ESP32 (chip)
- STM32 (chip)
- Raspberry Pi Pico (chip)
- Arduino (other)
- Renode (tool)
- QEMU (tool)
- Zephyr (other)
- Rust (other)
- Teensy (chip)
- Infineon (company)
- Efabless (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Silicon Revolution with Matt Venn](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-06-30-silicon-revolution-with-matt-venn) (The Amp Hour)
- [Discussing the Open Source PDK with Tim Ansell](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-07-20-discussing-the-open-source-pdk-with-tim-ansell) (The Amp Hour)
- [Open Source Tapeout with Matthew Venn](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-01-23-open-source-tapeout-with-matthew-venn) (The Amp Hour)
- [Building wafer.space with Tim Ansell](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-09-25-building-wafer-space-with-tim-ansell) (The Amp Hour)
- [Fabless Chip Design with Mohamed Kassem](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-08-02-fabless-chip-design-with-mohamed-kassem) (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/2023-07-06-454-printf-hello. 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.