Factory Firmware Flashing with Pete Staples

The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast · 9 Jun 2026 · 50m

What this episode covers

Pete Staples, founder of Blue Clover Devices, explains the disconnect between engineering and manufacturing, noting that factory firmware flashing is often a dusty, manual afterthought rather than a sophisticated process. He details how Blue Clover’s Production Line Tool (PLT) and Test Agent standardize hardware and software to bridge the gap between engineer desks and factory floors, addressing security, provisioning, and calibration. Staples argues that engineers must define the test plan and 'good enough' criteria early to avoid costly emergency travel and production delays.

Mentioned

Companies
Blue Clover Devices, Jabil, Flex, Foxconn, Nordic, ST, NXP, Finnian, Hardware FYI, ATX, Pinplate
Products
Production Line Tool, Test Agent, Raspberry Pi
Chips
STM32, nRF52, nRF54
Also
Embedded World, Kinetic

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