# Ep 359: Flying Squids, Edible Passwords, and a CAD Automaton

- Show: [Hackaday Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast)
- Published: 2026-02-27
- Length: 1h 10m
- Episode: 359
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-02-27-ep-359-flying-squids-edible-passwords-and-a-cad-automaton
- Listen: https://hackaday.com/2026/02/27/hackaday-podcast-ep-359-flying-squids-edible-passwords-and-a-cad-automaton/

## Summary

Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Al Williams discuss a variety of hardware hacks, including Oliver Pet's 18-joint CAD automaton that uses 36 cables and CNC-cut cams to mimic human archery mechanics. They analyze Peltier cooler inefficiencies, the failure of belt drives in harsh off-road conditions, and a microcontroller-based TV transmitter. The episode concludes with a look at Motorola's abandoned 'password pill' concept and the history of blimps.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-02-27-ep-359-flying-squids-edible-passwords-and-a-cad-automaton#t=7) Introduction and Hackaday Europe
- [3:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-02-27-ep-359-flying-squids-edible-passwords-and-a-cad-automaton#t=203) Oliver Pet's CAD Automaton
- [13:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-02-27-ep-359-flying-squids-edible-passwords-and-a-cad-automaton#t=783) Peltier Cooler Efficiency and Design
- [19:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-02-27-ep-359-flying-squids-edible-passwords-and-a-cad-automaton#t=1192) Belt Drives vs. Chains for Off-Road Bikes
- [28:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-02-27-ep-359-flying-squids-edible-passwords-and-a-cad-automaton#t=1685) Star Trek Comb Badge and Voice Assistants
- [35:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-02-27-ep-359-flying-squids-edible-passwords-and-a-cad-automaton#t=2119) STM32 TV Transmitter and 3D Printed Camera
- [47:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-02-27-ep-359-flying-squids-edible-passwords-and-a-cad-automaton#t=2827) Quick Hacks: USB Ports, Thermal Mass, and PCB Tracer
- [54:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-02-27-ep-359-flying-squids-edible-passwords-and-a-cad-automaton#t=3259) Blips and Password Pills

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Oliver Pet (other)
- Peltier Power (other)
- Tristan Ridley (other)
- Spanner Spencer (other)
- M5 Stick C+ (product)
- Chris Slicka (other)
- STM32 (chip)
- Nucleo G431 (product)
- Dennis Aminev (other)
- Tyler August (other)
- Christina Penos (other)
- Motorola (company)
- Proteus Digital Health (company)
- Philip Gia Coloni (other)
- Electra Arc (other)
- Intel (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 155: Brain tornado-ing and pretzels](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-02-09-episode-155-brain-tornado-ing-and-pretzels) (Making It)
- [Chaffered Chocolate Coemption](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-04-09-chaffered-chocolate-coemption) (The Amp Hour)
- [Episode 143: ROBOTS!!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-11-10-episode-143-robots) (Making It)
- [448: Little Squiggles All Around](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-04-27-448-little-squiggles-all-around) (Embedded.fm)
- [Raspberry Pi 500, Robot Roadies, Huge 3d Printers and Car Hacking!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2023-11-26-raspberry-pi-500-robot-roadies-huge-3d-printers-and-car-hacking) (The Electromaker Show)

## Citing this page

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