# An interview with Greg and Tim of Backyard Brains - Boethetic Bug Brainwaves

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2015-05-08
- Length: 1h 27m
- Episode: 248
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-05-08-an-interview-with-greg-and-tim-of-backyard-brains-boethetic-bug-brainwaves
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/248-an-interview-with-greg-and-tim-of-backyard-brains-boethetic-bug-brainwaves/

## Summary

Greg Gage and Tim Marzullo of Backyard Brains explain how they democratize neural engineering by creating low-cost, educational electronics like the SpikerBox and RoboRoach to record and stimulate biological signals. They detail the analog signal chain used to amplify neuron spikes, the physics of ion-based neural firing, and their work with invertebrates like cockroaches and plants. The conversation covers their transition from academic research to a scalable business model, highlighting the 'Human-Human Interface' and the logistical challenges of sourcing components in Chile.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-05-08-an-interview-with-greg-and-tim-of-backyard-brains-boethetic-bug-brainwaves#t=0) Introduction: Backyard Brains and the RoboRoach
- [2:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-05-08-an-interview-with-greg-and-tim-of-backyard-brains-boethetic-bug-brainwaves#t=141) The Mission: Democratizing Neural Engineering
- [3:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-05-08-an-interview-with-greg-and-tim-of-backyard-brains-boethetic-bug-brainwaves#t=219) Analog Signal Chain: Bio Instrumentation and Filtering
- [6:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-05-08-an-interview-with-greg-and-tim-of-backyard-brains-boethetic-bug-brainwaves#t=410) Plant Electrophysiology and Action Potentials
- [12:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-05-08-an-interview-with-greg-and-tim-of-backyard-brains-boethetic-bug-brainwaves#t=741) Neuron Physics: Ion Gradients and Membrane Charging
- [22:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-05-08-an-interview-with-greg-and-tim-of-backyard-brains-boethetic-bug-brainwaves#t=1369) The RoboRoach and Human-Human Interface
- [44:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-05-08-an-interview-with-greg-and-tim-of-backyard-brains-boethetic-bug-brainwaves#t=2653) Educational Kits: SpikerBox and Insect Experiments
- [55:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-05-08-an-interview-with-greg-and-tim-of-backyard-brains-boethetic-bug-brainwaves#t=3334) Business Model: Startup Chile and Supply Chain Logistics
- [1:16:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-05-08-an-interview-with-greg-and-tim-of-backyard-brains-boethetic-bug-brainwaves#t=4611) The Human-Human Interface and Future Research

## Topics

- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Backyard Brains (company)
- SpikerBox (product)
- RoboRoach (product)
- Arduino (chip)
- DigiKey (other)
- Startup Chile (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep028: Brain Skepticism Turned Up to 11,  Web Browsing in '69,  Verilog For 7400 Logic](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-07-26-ep028-brain-skepticism-turned-up-to-11-web-browsing-in-69-verilog-for-7400-logic) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [36: Drive the Boat with a Wii Mote](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-01-22-36-drive-the-boat-with-a-wii-mote) (Embedded.fm)
- [491: Oscillators Oscillating Other Oscillators](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-12-13-491-oscillators-oscillating-other-oscillators) (Embedded.fm)
- [Bio-Inspired Networks to Interface with Nervous System](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2024-04-19-bio-inspired-networks-to-interface-with-nervous-system) (EE Times Current)
- [7: Lights, Camera, Electrons](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-26-7-lights-camera-electrons) (Embedded.fm)

## 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/2015-05-08-an-interview-with-greg-and-tim-of-backyard-brains-boethetic-bug-brainwaves. 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.