# Distribution, Wozniak & Robots - Early Eight-bit Endgame

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2012-10-08
- Length: 1h 12m
- Episode: 116
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-10-08-distribution-wozniak-robots-early-eight-bit-endgame
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/the-amp-hour-116-early-eight-bit-endgame/

## Summary

Hosts Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss the industry shift away from 8-bit microcontrollers, citing Freescale's announcement of its new ARM-based Kinetis L series and the end of development for legacy 8-bit parts. They analyze the business strategy behind this move, contrasting it with Microchip's decision to stick with proprietary MIPS cores to avoid commoditization, and debate the future role of component distributors like DigiKey and Avnet in an era of direct-to-consumer sales and online information. The conversation also covers the challenges of engineering management, including flawed design reviews and the 'MBA playbook' mentality, before highlighting a Wi-Fi deploying robot project and a teardown-based electronics course.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-10-08-distribution-wozniak-robots-early-eight-bit-endgame#t=0) Introduction and Streaming Tech
- [10:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-10-08-distribution-wozniak-robots-early-eight-bit-endgame#t=637) Freescale's End of 8-Bit Development
- [22:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-10-08-distribution-wozniak-robots-early-eight-bit-endgame#t=1335) Microchip's MIPS Strategy vs. ARM Commoditization
- [44:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-10-08-distribution-wozniak-robots-early-eight-bit-endgame#t=2680) The Future of Component Distributors
- [36:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-10-08-distribution-wozniak-robots-early-eight-bit-endgame#t=2179) Engineering Management and Design Reviews
- [1:00:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-10-08-distribution-wozniak-robots-early-eight-bit-endgame#t=3645) Robotics and Educational Teardowns

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Freescale (company)
- Kinetis L (product)
- Microchip (company)
- MIPS (chip)
- DigiKey (company)
- Avnet (company)
- Arduino (product)
- LabVIEW (tool)
- National Instruments (company)
- Artisan Asylum (company)
- Stompy (product)
- Kent Lundberg (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Spark Gap - Episode 32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-05-06-the-spark-gap-episode-32) (The Spark Gap)
- [Microcontroller Showdown: Selecting the Best One for Your Project](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2023-01-04-microcontroller-showdown-selecting-the-best-one-for-your-project) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [15: Robot on the Front](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-08-21-15-robot-on-the-front) (Embedded.fm)
- [138: Quit Yer Whining](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-02-10-138-quit-yer-whining) (Embedded.fm)
- [468: Designed to Kill All Humans](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-01-12-468-designed-to-kill-all-humans) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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