Ep 157: Airtag Security, Warped 3D Printing, Suturing Grapes with a DIY Robot Arm, and the Wizard's Calculator

Hackaday Podcast · 25 Feb 2022 · 53m · Episode 157

What this episode covers

Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Tom Nardi discuss several hardware projects, starting with the security vulnerabilities of Apple's AirTag tracking system, where Fabian Boyne Lines demonstrates how an ESP32 can spoof the network to evade detection. They then cover DIY hydrophones built by DJ Jules using piezoelectric transducers and 3D printed 'warped' objects created by Stefan from CNC Kitchen by modifying G-code. The episode highlights Jhui Jun's high-precision DIY robot arm capable of suturing grapes, and features a deep dive into the petrochemical origins of wintergreen flavoring and the history of the Canadian MCM 70 portable computer.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • 047 - The Sun, The Moon, The Stars

    Jen Castillo and Alvaro Prieto discuss recent reverse engineering projects, including Colin O'Flynn's teardown of the Apple AirTag, which revealed an nRF52 microcontroller and a vulnerability allowing firmware dumping via the Pocket Glitcher. They also cover a method to transmit arbitrary data through Apple's Find My network, a 70% reduction in GTA Online loading times by patching a slow JSON parser, and reverse engineering of Reolink IP cameras and eInk price tags. The hosts highlight past guests' work on the LPC55S69 microcontroller and the Asahi Linux project for the Apple M1 processor, noting a trend toward better security practices in hardware design.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 14m

    Cassette decks have browsers?

    Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss the teardown of the Apple AirTag, analyzing its nRF52832 chip, U1 ultra-wideband transceiver, and asset-tracking architecture. They contrast this with Amazon's Sidewalk IoT network, the challenges of EV vehicle-to-load technology, and the complexities of repairing vintage surround sound receivers. The conversation also covers the acquisition of Supply Frame by Siemens, the lack of standardization in EDA library management, and the controversial acquisition of Audacity by Muse.

  • Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast · 1h 15m

    063 - I Read Online That It's Impossible

    Security researcher Thomas Roth (@stacksmashing) discusses his hardware hacking projects, including dumping the Apple AirTag firmware via fault injection on an NRF52 microcontroller and building the open-source 'Tamarin' cable to enable JTAG debugging on iPhones. He details the complex reverse engineering of the Apple Lightning protocol, the challenges of implementing a custom SWD stack on a Raspberry Pi Pico, and his work enabling multiplayer Tetris on a physical Game Boy using WebUSB. Roth also shares insights on his career, favorite tools like Ghidra and the RP2040, and the accessibility of modern fault injection techniques.

  • Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast · 1h 03m

    065 - Multitalented Grinch

    Hosts Alvaro Brieto and Jen discuss their recent attendance at Open Sauce and the Crowd Supply teardown conference, highlighting the community aspect of hardware reverse engineering. They review several books on security and hacking history, including 'ARM Assembly and Reverse Engineering' and 'Murdoch's Pirates', while also sharing news about past guests like David from Cyber City Circuits teaching the First Lady to solder. The episode concludes with technical discussions on CAN bus vulnerabilities in Toyota vehicles, hotel IoT security, and Alvaro's new DJI Mic recording setup for upcoming coverage at CCCamp.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 14m

    Pneumatic Tubes, Straight To The Home

    Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss recent tech hype, including debunking viral claims about the 'Water Cube' dehumidifier and beta-voltaic 'nuclear diamond' batteries. They cover the merger of Evil Mad Scientist and Bantam Tools, a side-channel security vulnerability affecting ESP32 microcontrollers, and the acquisition of a used TVM pick-and-place machine. The conversation also touches on power grid issues, CAD software choices like Fusion 360 and Onshape, and the failure of solar roadways.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Hackaday Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.