Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing
Hosts Jeff Gable and Luca Enjani discuss hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, contrasting high-fidelity aerospace systems with simpler, agile approaches for startups. They highlight the risk of 'horse-sized rabbits' where complex test rigs cost over $100,000 but provide little value, advocating instead for rudimentary setups using tools like Raspberry Pi or Python scripts. The conversation emphasizes that even a simple smoke test providing physical feedback is superior to pure software simulation, especially for catching race conditions and validating real-world interactions in medical devices and robotics.