# 456: Left Right Symmetry of a Banana

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2023-08-03
- Length: 1h 08m
- Episode: 456
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-08-03-456-left-right-symmetry-of-a-banana
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/456

## Summary

Damien George, creator of MicroPython and founder of George Robotics, explains the design philosophy behind MicroPython, distinguishing it from CircuitPython by focusing on performance and power-user features for embedded systems. He details the history of the PyBoard, which was funded via Kickstarter to provide a physical hardware platform for the software, and discusses how hardware sales, GitHub sponsorships, and consulting currently fund the project. George advises using MicroPython for rapid board bring-up and prototyping, while noting the challenges of supply chain shortages affecting STM32 microcontroller availability.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-08-03-456-left-right-symmetry-of-a-banana#t=1) Introduction: Damien George and George Robotics
- [0:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-08-03-456-left-right-symmetry-of-a-banana#t=36) Lightning Round: Physics, LHC, and STM32
- [7:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-08-03-456-left-right-symmetry-of-a-banana#t=423) From Theoretical Physics to MicroPython
- [12:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-08-03-456-left-right-symmetry-of-a-banana#t=742) Using MicroPython for Client Projects
- [18:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-08-03-456-left-right-symmetry-of-a-banana#t=1132) MicroPython vs. CircuitPython: Philosophy and Differences
- [29:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-08-03-456-left-right-symmetry-of-a-banana#t=1790) The Kickstarter and PyBoard History
- [47:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-08-03-456-left-right-symmetry-of-a-banana#t=2843) Funding Models: Sponsorship, Hardware, and Consulting
- [58:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-08-03-456-left-right-symmetry-of-a-banana#t=3506) Board Bring-up and Convincing Senior Engineers

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- MicroPython (product)
- George Robotics (company)
- PyBoard (product)
- CircuitPython (product)
- Adafruit (company)
- STM32F405 (chip)
- ESP32 (chip)
- ulab (product)
- PyScript (product)
- Pyodide (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Electromaker Interview: Eben Upton - Raspberry Pi creator!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-07-05-electromaker-interview-eben-upton-raspberry-pi-creator) (The Electromaker Show)
- [An Interview with Tony DiCola](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-11-18-an-interview-with-tony-dicola) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Marcus Schappi - Kit Ketch Kenophobia](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-03-19-an-interview-with-marcus-schappi-kit-ketch-kenophobia) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Ken Burns](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-16-an-interview-with-ken-burns) (The Amp Hour)
- [Interview with Michael Ossmann - Gifted Grimgribber Grokker](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-09-04-interview-with-michael-ossmann-gifted-grimgribber-grokker) (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/2023-08-03-456-left-right-symmetry-of-a-banana. 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.