# Guns and Mobile Labs - Nuanced Nomadic Non-essentials

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2014-04-23
- Length: 1h 16m
- Episode: 195
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-23-guns-and-mobile-labs-nuanced-nomadic-non-essentials
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/195-guns-and-mobile-labs-nuanced-nomadic-non-essentials/

## Summary

Hosts Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss the challenges of designing a portable electronics lab for travel, including the humorous consideration of using a starter pistol to protect gear from TSA. They explore the evolution of SPICE simulation tools, noting that while the core engine remains unchanged, modern apps like EveryCircuit focus on visual learning. The conversation shifts to industry trends, covering the shutdown of Nike's FuelBand, the discontinuation of the Nest thermostat, and the economic implications of robotics and automation as described in the book 'The Second Machine Age'.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-23-guns-and-mobile-labs-nuanced-nomadic-non-essentials#t=0) Introduction and Office Move
- [14:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-23-guns-and-mobile-labs-nuanced-nomadic-non-essentials#t=857) Designing a Portable Mobile Lab
- [17:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-23-guns-and-mobile-labs-nuanced-nomadic-non-essentials#t=1022) TSA Security and Gun Loopholes
- [35:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-23-guns-and-mobile-labs-nuanced-nomadic-non-essentials#t=2108) SPICE Simulation Tools and Apps
- [43:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-23-guns-and-mobile-labs-nuanced-nomadic-non-essentials#t=2591) Tech Bubbles and Product Failures
- [51:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-23-guns-and-mobile-labs-nuanced-nomadic-non-essentials#t=3089) Robotics and The Second Machine Age
- [58:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-23-guns-and-mobile-labs-nuanced-nomadic-non-essentials#t=3527) PCB Layout and Industry Trends

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Supply Frame (company)
- Fine Chips (company)
- Hackaday (company)
- EveryCircuit (product)
- LTspice (tool)
- Nike FuelBand (product)
- Nest (product)
- PR2 Robot (product)
- ROS (tool)
- Dangerous Prototypes (company)
- KiCad (tool)
- Eagle (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Spark Gap - Episode 24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-01-07-the-spark-gap-episode-24) (The Spark Gap)
- [181: Work on It for Ten Years](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-12-30-181-work-on-it-for-ten-years) (Embedded.fm)
- [Ep 330: Hover Turtles, Dull Designs, and K'nex Computers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-07-25-ep-330-hover-turtles-dull-designs-and-knex-computers) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [422: It's Not a Bug, It's a Feature](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-07-28-422-its-not-a-bug-its-a-feature) (Embedded.fm)
- [539: My Ai Powered Ergonomic Chair](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2026-09-25-539-my-ai-powered-ergonomic-chair) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-23-guns-and-mobile-labs-nuanced-nomadic-non-essentials. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Amp Hour.