# Ep 316: Soft Robots, Linux the Hard Way, Cellphones into SBCs, and the Circuit Graver

- Show: [Hackaday Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast)
- Published: 2025-04-11
- Length: 1h 23m
- Episode: 316
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-04-11-ep-316-soft-robots-linux-the-hard-way-cellphones-into-sbcs-and-the-circuit-grave
- Listen: https://wp.me/paBn4l-3eBW

## Summary

Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Tom Nardi discuss a range of hardware hacks, starting with soft robotics by Soy Boy Softs, featuring a silicone-actuated salamander robot, and Linux running on a minimal 8-pin IC setup by Dimitri Grinberg. They also cover RF improvements for cheap ESP32-C3 boards by Peter Neufeld, a hardware time-lapse solution for 3D printers, and Citronics' method of repurposing old cell phones into single-board computers using Fairphone 2 motherboards. The episode concludes with a review of browser alternatives and a deep dive into the Circuit Graver, a home-prototyping machine by Zach Friedland that engraves PCBs using a sharpened lathe tool.

## Chapters

- [0:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-04-11-ep-316-soft-robots-linux-the-hard-way-cellphones-into-sbcs-and-the-circuit-grave#t=2) Introduction: Vintage Computer Festival and Philadelphia Maker Fair
- [10:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-04-11-ep-316-soft-robots-linux-the-hard-way-cellphones-into-sbcs-and-the-circuit-grave#t=614) Soft Robotics: Soy Boy Softs Salamander Robot
- [19:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-04-11-ep-316-soft-robots-linux-the-hard-way-cellphones-into-sbcs-and-the-circuit-grave#t=1149) Linux on 8-Pin ICs: Dimitri Grinberg's Minimal Computer
- [25:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-04-11-ep-316-soft-robots-linux-the-hard-way-cellphones-into-sbcs-and-the-circuit-grave#t=1524) Improving ESP32-C3 WiFi Reception with External Antennas
- [33:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-04-11-ep-316-soft-robots-linux-the-hard-way-cellphones-into-sbcs-and-the-circuit-grave#t=1982) 3D Printer Time-Lapse Hardware Solution
- [38:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-04-11-ep-316-soft-robots-linux-the-hard-way-cellphones-into-sbcs-and-the-circuit-grave#t=2305) Repurposing Cell Phones: Citronics and Fairphone 2
- [49:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-04-11-ep-316-soft-robots-linux-the-hard-way-cellphones-into-sbcs-and-the-circuit-grave#t=2966) Ben Eater's 6502 Breadboard Computer and MS Basic
- [55:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-04-11-ep-316-soft-robots-linux-the-hard-way-cellphones-into-sbcs-and-the-circuit-grave#t=3355) Quick Hacks: Tape Synth, Cloud Compare, and USB-C Splitters
- [1:00:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-04-11-ep-316-soft-robots-linux-the-hard-way-cellphones-into-sbcs-and-the-circuit-grave#t=3655) Non-Google Web Browsers: Jenny List's Review
- [1:09:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-04-11-ep-316-soft-robots-linux-the-hard-way-cellphones-into-sbcs-and-the-circuit-grave#t=4153) The Circuit Graver: Zach Friedland's Home PCB Engraver

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Soy Boy Softs (other)
- Dimitri Grinberg (other)
- ESP32-C3 (chip)
- Peter Neufeld (other)
- Citronics (company)
- Fairphone 2 (product)
- Zach Friedland (other)
- Circuit Graver (product)
- Ben Eater (other)
- 6502 (chip)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [DIY Streamdeck, Bela's beautiful STM32 module, ROCK 5 Model B, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-11-28-diy-streamdeck-belas-beautiful-stm32-module-rock-5-model-b-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [New 2GB Raspberry Pi Benchmarked, E-Ink Typewriters, ARM SBC Laptops, and much more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2024-08-24-new-2gb-raspberry-pi-benchmarked-e-ink-typewriters-arm-sbc-laptops-and-much-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Electromaker of the Month Winners, Maker Music Festival, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-03-10-electromaker-of-the-month-winners-maker-music-festival-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Hacked E-Paper Price Tags, Raspberry Pi MCU Dev HAT, Arduino Robot Arm, and More!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2023-01-18-hacked-e-paper-price-tags-raspberry-pi-mcu-dev-hat-arduino-robot-arm-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Eurocircuits PCB Contest Winners, Maker Faire Rome 2022, LattePanda Giveaway!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-10-21-eurocircuits-pcb-contest-winners-maker-faire-rome-2022-lattepanda-giveaway) (The Electromaker Show)

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