# Ep. 4 |The Future Is Coding: Experts from iRobot and STMicroelectronics

- Show: [Moore's Lobby](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby)
- Published: 2020-06-25
- Length: 43m
- Episode: 4
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-06-25-ep-4-the-future-is-coding-experts-from-irobot-and-stmicroelectronics
- Listen: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/podcast/ep-4-the-future-is-coding-the-firmware-and-software-of-hardware-design/

## Summary

Tim Saeger, Executive Vice President and Chief R&D Officer at iRobot, explains how the company integrates hardware and software, leveraging cell phone industry components and specialized software teams to manage complex robotics platforms like Roomba. Sean Newton, Microcontroller Applications Manager at STMicroelectronics, discusses the shift from analog to digital control in power supplies and motors, highlighting the role of STM32 microcontrollers and tools like MATLAB and MC Workbench. The episode emphasizes the necessity for hardware engineers to develop firmware proficiency, utilizing modern debugging tools and educational resources to bridge the gap between analog design and embedded software.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-06-25-ep-4-the-future-is-coding-experts-from-irobot-and-stmicroelectronics#t=1) Introduction: The Fatal Mistake of Late Architecture
- [3:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-06-25-ep-4-the-future-is-coding-experts-from-irobot-and-stmicroelectronics#t=198) Tim Saeger on iRobot's Multidisciplinary Engineering and Software Integration
- [9:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-06-25-ep-4-the-future-is-coding-experts-from-irobot-and-stmicroelectronics#t=575) iRobot's Technology Strategy: Leveraging Cell Phone Industry Components
- [17:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-06-25-ep-4-the-future-is-coding-experts-from-irobot-and-stmicroelectronics#t=1023) Saeger's Career Path: From Defense to Consumer Electronics at Bose and iRobot
- [22:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-06-25-ep-4-the-future-is-coding-experts-from-irobot-and-stmicroelectronics#t=1341) Sean Newton on Digital Motor Control and Power Supply Trends
- [28:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-06-25-ep-4-the-future-is-coding-experts-from-irobot-and-stmicroelectronics#t=1701) STMicroelectronics Microcontroller Peripherals and Deterministic Systems
- [31:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-06-25-ep-4-the-future-is-coding-experts-from-irobot-and-stmicroelectronics#t=1880) Supporting Customers with Limited Firmware Expertise: Consultants and Tools
- [34:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-06-25-ep-4-the-future-is-coding-experts-from-irobot-and-stmicroelectronics#t=2082) Getting Started with STM32: Resources, Kits, and Debugging Tools
- [40:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-06-25-ep-4-the-future-is-coding-experts-from-irobot-and-stmicroelectronics#t=2417) Audio Processing and DSP Capabilities of Modern Microcontrollers

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- iRobot (company)
- STMicroelectronics (company)
- Roomba (product)
- STM32 (chip)
- MATLAB (tool)
- MC Workbench (tool)
- Bose (company)
- Digiki (other)
- Mauser (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [139: Easy to Add Blood Splatter](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-02-17-139-easy-to-add-blood-splatter) (Embedded.fm)
- [320: Why Isn't This Working?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-02-14-320-why-isnt-this-working) (Embedded.fm)
- [256: Agglomeration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-16-256-agglomeration) (Embedded.fm)
- [134: Diet-Friendly Dog Food](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-01-14-134-diet-friendly-dog-food) (Embedded.fm)
- [Ep. 14: Zero to H.I.R.O.: The Path to Becoming a Full-Stack Mechatronics Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robo-success-podcast/2026-08-18-ep-14-zero-to-h-i-r-o-the-path-to-becoming-a-full-stack-mechatronics-engineer) (The Robo Success Podcast)

## Citing this page

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