The Amp Hour · 2 Oct 2015 · 1h 06m · Episode 269
Hosts Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss the Open Source Hardware Association's new certification program, debating its potential to formalize or fracture the community. They also analyze the industry consolidation triggered by Dialog Semiconductor's acquisition of Atmel, noting the shrinking number of chip manufacturers. The conversation touches on the ethical implications of the Volkswagen emissions scandal and the bankruptcy of the innovation platform Quirky.
makers and hobbyists
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Toni Klopfenstein, Quality Assurance Manager at SparkFun, discusses the company's evolution from a hobbyist parts supplier to an education-focused hardware provider. He details the challenges of open source hardware certification through OSHWA, the importance of comprehensive documentation for community adoption, and SparkFun's strategic shift toward supporting teachers and students in classrooms.
Dave Anders, who works for CircuitCo, the manufacturer of the BeagleBone Black and MinnowBoard, discusses the nuances of open source hardware, contrasting fully open designs with 'open source friendly' products like the Flyswatter 2. He explains how CircuitCo manages production scaling for the BeagleBone Black to meet OEM demand and details the transition of the MinnowBoard to a 100% open hardware model in partnership with Intel. Anders also covers the business models of open hardware, noting that while tools like the original Flyswatter were fully open, later iterations restrict fabrication files to prevent poor-quality clones while still allowing software development.
Lee Wilkins, an artist and the chair of the Open Hardware Summit, discusses the Open Source Hardware Association (OSHWA), its certification processes, and the upcoming summit in Montreal. Wilkins explains OSHWA's expansion beyond PCBs to include diverse physical objects and its efforts to bridge the gap between maker, academic, and professional communities. The conversation also covers Wilkins' PhD research on human-centric space infrastructure and their zine 'Ohm No,' which demystifies electronics fundamentals for artists and beginners.
Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss OpenAI's strategic partnership with AMD, analyzing the financial implications of OpenAI's $100 billion capex plan and its ambition to become a hyperscaler. They examine Intel's recent 'Tech Touch' event, highlighting the capabilities of its Fab 52, the 18A process node, and the architectural shifts in Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest chips. Finally, they evaluate Qualcomm's acquisition of Arduino as a move to consolidate its position in the industrial IoT ecosystem.
Elecia White and Christopher White discuss the LeapFrog LeapPad and Odyssey Globe, recalling Elecia's work on their capacitive sensing and custom ASIC technology around 2001. They analyze the governance models of open source projects like Valetudo, ESPHome, and Zephyr as analogies for large company politics, and review Bunnie Huang's Dabao Evaluation Board for its verifiability features. The hosts also cover practical tools like Merlin Bird ID and Excel data bars, while debating the use of Ethernet in embedded systems and the state of Renesas MCUs.
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