# Open source visualization and debugging for robotics

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2022-01-28
- Length: 55m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-01-28-open-source-visualization-and-debugging-for-robotics
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/open-source-visualization-and-debugging-for-robotics

## Summary

Adrian Macneil, co-founder and CEO of Foxglove, discusses the company's open-source visualization and debugging tool for robotics, which spun out from his time at Cruise. He explains how Foxglove Studio addresses the limitations of RViz by offering cross-platform support and handling massive sensor data logs via WebGL and WebAssembly. Macneil also details the company's recent $3.7 million seed funding, its strategy of providing a free open-source core with a commercial data platform for collaboration, and his advice for early-stage hardware founders.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-01-28-open-source-visualization-and-debugging-for-robotics#t=7) Introduction and Space Robotics News
- [10:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-01-28-open-source-visualization-and-debugging-for-robotics#t=611) SoftBank Robotics and Nvidia-ARM Acquisition News
- [18:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-01-28-open-source-visualization-and-debugging-for-robotics#t=1103) Foxglove's Origin and Spin-out from Cruise
- [24:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-01-28-open-source-visualization-and-debugging-for-robotics#t=1451) Foxglove Studio vs. RViz and Cross-Platform Challenges
- [31:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-01-28-open-source-visualization-and-debugging-for-robotics#t=1873) Handling Massive Sensor Data with WebGL and WebAssembly
- [37:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-01-28-open-source-visualization-and-debugging-for-robotics#t=2254) Open Source Model, Commercial Data Platform, and Funding
- [47:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-01-28-open-source-visualization-and-debugging-for-robotics#t=2836) Founder Advice and Crypto Discussion

## Topics

- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Foxglove (company)
- Cruise (company)
- Foxglove Studio (product)
- RViz (tool)
- Nvidia (company)
- ARM (chip)
- SoftBank Robotics (company)
- Pepper (product)
- Universal Robots (product)
- Teradine (company)
- Coinbase (company)
- Amplify Partners (company)
- FPC Funds (company)
- Onshape (company)
- Figma (company)
- ROS 1 (tool)
- ROS 2 (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 123: Standardising robot programming - Nick Thompson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-05-30-episode-123-standardising-robot-programming-nick-thompson) (Robot Talk)
- [Motivational Speaker](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-05-05-motivational-speaker) (The Amp Hour)
- [S6E40 Matt Puchalski | Vision Inspection, Autonomous Vehicles, & Graduating Y Combinator](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-10-03-s6e40-matt-puchalski-vision-inspection-autonomous-vehicles-graduating-y-combinat) (Being an Engineer)
- [274: Swiss Knife of Embedded Systems](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-01-18-274-swiss-knife-of-embedded-systems) (Embedded.fm)
- [System Designer Lets You Try Every Part with Michael Gielda](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-03-24-system-designer-lets-you-try-every-part-with-michael-gielda) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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