Hardware Podcasts

Ep 302: Scroll Wheels, Ball Screws, and a New Year for USB-C

Hackaday Podcast · 3 Jan 2025 · 1h 02m · Episode 302

What this episode covers

Hosts Elliot Williams and Al Williams review the week's hacks, starting with the EU's mandate for USB-C charging ports and a 'What's That Sound' competition where no one correctly identified a slowed-down blackbird recording. They discuss Engineer Bose's precise scroll wheel built from a Kickstarter failure, security researchers' discovery of vulnerabilities in German power grid controllers, and Andy's modification of hardened ball nuts. The episode also covers Brian Heidet's 'movies of light' experiment, the Poly dye project for color 3D printing, and Tom Nardi's retrospective on 2024 hardware trends including RISC-V and multimaterial 3D printing.

Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Bamboo Labs
Products
Poly dye
Chips
CH 32
Tools
boxes.py, Arduino IDE
Also
USB-C, Chaos Communication Congress, RISC-V, Marlin

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Amp Hour

    50.0000 Ohms

    Hosts Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss a variety of hardware and tech topics, starting with Jones's DIY LED lighting project and Gammell's purchase of the 'Invisible Computer' e-paper calendar. They analyze the complexity of USB-C and HDMI cable standards, the privacy implications of WiFi-based location APIs, and the CHIPS Act's impact on semiconductor companies like Polar Semiconductor. The episode concludes with a discussion of Raspberry Pi's upcoming IPO and a skeptical look at current AI capabilities.

    AI & machine learningPCB design & layout
    6 chapters

  • 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.

    Debugging & failure analysisMicrocontrollers & dev platforms
    8 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 12m

    Hyperloop, Upverter and Soldering - Unbelievable USB Ustulater

    Hosts Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss Elon Musk's Hyperloop white paper, the emerging revenue-sharing models for open hardware platforms like Upverter and OSH Park, and Intel's entry into the hobbyist market with the MinnowBoard. They also critique a USB-powered soldering iron for its insufficient power delivery and discuss the practicalities of PCB panelization and corporate documentation culture.

    PCB design & layoutMicrocontrollers & dev platforms
    8 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 09m

    Feed the Mouse

    Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss the ongoing chip shortages, highlighting how part scarcity forces engineers to redesign products or pay exorbitant prices on the gray market. They review the Luna USB analyzer from Great Scott Gadgets, an open-source tool using an Lattice FPGA for debugging USB 2.0, and critique the Illume COVID-19 home test for its unnecessary electronics and environmental waste. The conversation also covers career advice, including the value of debugging skills, the 'embedded resume' project by Aaron Vorce, and the importance of right-to-repair initiatives like the WAS conference.

    Sourcing & supply chainDebugging & failure analysis
    10 chapters

  • 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.

    Security & privacyMaker community & events
    8 chapters

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.