# Ep017: Are Cheap Microcontrollers Worth It? Android on Your Bike. Plus Food Printers and Coffee Bots

- Show: [Hackaday Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast)
- Published: 2019-05-03
- Length: 55m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-05-03-ep017-are-cheap-microcontrollers-worth-it-android-on-your-bike-plus-food-printer
- Listen: https://hackaday.libsyn.com/ep017-are-cheap-microcontrollers-worth-it-android-on-your-bike-plus-food-printers-and-coffee-bots

## Summary

Hackaday editors Mike Szczys and Elliot Williams discuss the PMS150C microcontroller, which costs only 3 cents but is one-time programmable, and explore a bike computer running Android that revealed GPL violations. They also cover a scratch-built smartwatch with a wood-filled PLA case, a LoRa repeater for high-altitude balloons, and an SNES emulator technique that improves Mode 7 graphics. The episode concludes with an interview with Craig Bishop about improving KiCad's auto-router.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-05-03-ep017-are-cheap-microcontrollers-worth-it-android-on-your-bike-plus-food-printer#t=3) Introduction and VCF Europe Recap
- [9:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-05-03-ep017-are-cheap-microcontrollers-worth-it-android-on-your-bike-plus-food-printer#t=590) The PMS150C Microcontroller
- [20:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-05-03-ep017-are-cheap-microcontrollers-worth-it-android-on-your-bike-plus-food-printer#t=1230) Android Bike Computer and Smartwatch
- [25:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-05-03-ep017-are-cheap-microcontrollers-worth-it-android-on-your-bike-plus-food-printer#t=1525) LoRa Repeater and SNES Mode 7 Hack
- [30:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-05-03-ep017-are-cheap-microcontrollers-worth-it-android-on-your-bike-plus-food-printer#t=1829) Quick Hacks: Raspberry Pi, Flying Sticks, and 3D Scanning
- [37:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-05-03-ep017-are-cheap-microcontrollers-worth-it-android-on-your-bike-plus-food-printer#t=2221) Food Printing and Coffee Robots
- [47:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-05-03-ep017-are-cheap-microcontrollers-worth-it-android-on-your-bike-plus-food-printer#t=2827) Interview with Craig Bishop on KiCad Auto-Routing

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- PMS150C (chip)
- CH552 (chip)
- ESP8266 (chip)
- KiCad (tool)
- Fusion 360 (tool)
- Nova Meit (company)
- Open Scan (company)
- Craigjb.com (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [PITA Package](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-05-17-pita-package) (The Amp Hour)
- [Cheapest 32-bit MCU, Pi Pico Special, Retro Computer Wifi, and More!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2023-02-08-cheapest-32-bit-mcu-pi-pico-special-retro-computer-wifi-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [069 - Canned Cheese and Onion Rings](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2024-04-17-069-canned-cheese-and-onion-rings) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [I2C on your PC with Pico, Pocket Integrator Goes Live, OrangePi Monitor, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-12-02-i2c-on-your-pc-with-pico-pocket-integrator-goes-live-orangepi-monitor-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Ultimate XIAO board guide, Home Assistant Green, and Which PCB Fab House is Best?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2023-10-18-ultimate-xiao-board-guide-home-assistant-green-and-which-pcb-fab-house-is-best) (The Electromaker Show)

## Citing this page

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