Hardware Podcasts
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Embedded.fm

Discussions with experts about embedded systems, electronics, and hardware development.

582 episodes · 637 hours · since 2013

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Embedded.fm is filed under electronics, embedded, engineering and hardware. Its most recent episode published on , so it is still actively publishing. Listeners have left 188 ratings on Apple Podcasts, averaging 4.8 out of 5.

Latest episodes

The 10 newest episodes of Embedded.fm, each with a summary and chapters.

  • · 1h 29m

    535: The You in the Machine

    Adam Smith, a professor at UC Santa Cruz, discusses his BayLeaf AI counterplatform, an open-source infrastructure designed to provide local, autonomous AI tools without data harvesting. He explains the concept of 'transagency,' where humans and agents collaborate, using tools like OpenCode, OpenChamber, and OpenWebUI to manage context and automate tasks. Smith advocates for using small language models (SLMs) and context distillation to retain knowledge in plain text files like AGENTS.md, arguing that this approach offers privacy and portability compared to corporate cloud services.

    Connected products & IoTAI & machine learning
    10 chapters

  • · 1h 13m

    534: I Think We'll Add a Head

    Aaed Musa, co-founder of the robotics startup Mecha and a popular YouTube creator, discusses his journey from 3D-printing servo robots in his parents' garage to designing advanced quadrupedal robots. He details the mechanical evolution from high-backlash servos to custom capstan drives using Dyneema DM20 rope, and explains how his startup uses NVIDIA Isaac Sim and reinforcement learning to train expressive, home-friendly robot dogs. Musa also shares insights on his YouTube storytelling process, the importance of industrial design in making robots approachable, and his vision for a platform-based home robot that bridges the gap between toys and industrial tools.

    Robotics & autonomyMaterials & manufacturing processes
    8 chapters

  • · 59m

    533: The Garage Is Open

    Susan Lammers, author of the classic book 'Programmers at Work' and founder of Headbone Interactive, discusses the 40th anniversary edition of her book and the revival of her 1990s retro games on Steam. She reflects on interviewing pioneers like Toru Iwatani and Michael Hawley during the personal computer revolution, highlighting their drive for creative freedom from corporate mainframes. Lammers also shares insights from her time at Microsoft Press and her experience leading the early interactive CD-ROM division.

    Careers & educationAI & machine learning
    8 chapters

  • · 1h 09m

    532: It's Still Real Fire

    Kevin Santo Cappuccio, founder of Architeuthis Flux, discusses Jumperless, an open-source breadboard that replaces physical jumper wires with software-controlled analog crossbar switches and 445 RGB LEDs. He explains the device's architecture, including the Raspberry Pi Pico running MicroPython, the high-frequency performance of the switches, and the upcoming modular Barnacle Board. The conversation covers use cases in audio synthesis, education for dyslexic learners, and the challenges of manufacturing a luxury hardware product as a solo founder.

    PCB design & layoutEmbedded firmware
    6 chapters

  • · 1h 07m

    531: Sequestering the Mess

    Elecia White and Christopher White discuss winning the IEEE Educational Activities Board Meritorious Achievement Award for their podcast, Embedded.fm, and celebrate the milestone with informal education outreach. Christopher details his work integrating Rust libraries into Zephyr RTOS and struggling with Memfault's data extraction capabilities, while Elecia manages a complex robotics project. They also review books like Cory Doctorow's 'The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI' and 'Programmers at Work,' debating the ethics of taking advice from controversial figures and the societal impact of AI.

    Embedded firmwareAI & machine learning
    10 chapters

  • · 1h 08m

    530: A Living Highlighter

    Marine biologist Dr. Steven Haddock of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) discusses his book, The Radiant Sea, co-authored with Sönke Johnsen, which documents living deep-sea organisms. He explains the high-sensitivity 4K camera technology and ROV systems required to capture bioluminescence and transparency in the deep ocean, noting ISO levels up to 80,000. Haddock details how organisms like disco clams use structural colors and jellyfish use bioluminescence for communication and defense, while highlighting the biotechnological applications of GFP in medical research.

    Mechanical engineeringSensors & measurement in products
    10 chapters

  • · 1h 22m

    529: The Narwhal Looked Amazing

    Chris Svec, Director of Embedded Software Engineering at Insulet, discusses strategies for onboarding and developing new college graduates in engineering teams. He emphasizes that admitting ignorance publicly is a superpower and warns against new hires 'going dark' when they feel too intimidated to ask questions. The conversation covers practical tactics like assigning buddies, conducting daily check-ins, and using pair programming to build resilience and technical judgment. Svec also advises managers to foster a culture where curiosity is rewarded and mistakes are treated as learning opportunities rather than failures.

    Hiring & workforceLeadership, teams & culture
    9 chapters

  • · 1h 10m

    528: Goldfish Chunks

    Tyler Hoffman, co-founder of Memfault (now part of Nordic Semiconductor), discusses the architecture and philosophy of Memfault, a platform for embedded device diagnostics and observability. He explains the separation of operational data from product data, the 'device-in-control' approach to firmware updates, and the use of Memfault Diagnostic Service (MDS) for BLE devices. The conversation covers when to use Memfault versus building custom solutions, the challenges of low-bandwidth connectivity, and the realities of scaling fleet management.

    Connected products & IoTEmbedded firmware
    7 chapters

  • · 1h 09m

    527: At The Jellyfish Conference

    Elecia White and Christopher White discuss career development strategies, including using action verbs and the STAR method for resumes and interviews, while Christopher explores porting Python algorithms to embedded Rust on an nRF52840. Elecia details a DIY origami-based thermoforming process for synthetic fabrics, and Christopher describes building a DIY Recording Equipment Colour Duo 2-Channel Colour Channel Strip Kit, noting soldering errors with a HAKKO desoldering tool. The hosts also share that Embedded.fm won a Communicator Award and received an IEEE nomination.

    Careers & educationMicrocontrollers & dev platforms
    7 chapters

  • · 1h 01m

    526: Take A Taste Of Engineers

    Dr. Victoria Serrano, a professor at the Technological University of Panama and IEEE STEM Champion, discusses her work in STEM outreach and engineering education. She details her PhD research on PID controller tuning for degrading buck converters and explains how she uses low-cost equipment like Arduino Uno boards and motor shields to teach robotics and electronics to students in Panama. Serrano emphasizes the importance of empathy in engineering, citing a project where students designed solutions for people with disabilities, and shares her philosophy on overcoming fear of failure in hardware projects.

    Careers & educationMicrocontrollers & dev platforms
    7 chapters

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