In this episode of the Tech Explorations podcast, Peter Dalmaris sits down with David, a telecommunications engineer and product manager at Arduino, to delve into the fascinating world of cloud computing, IoT, artificial intelligence, and automation. Broadcasting from Spain, David shares his extensive background in electronics and embedded systems, which spans over two decades, including his tenure at a Spanish electronics manufacturer and his role at Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu.
David's journey to becoming a product manager at Arduino is a testament to his passion for hardware and software. At Arduino, he is responsible for the Arduino Cloud, a platform that many listeners, including Peter, are familiar with. David explains that the Arduino Cloud is an integrated platform designed to simplify connected devices' development, deployment, monitoring, and control. This platform aims to make IoT accessible to everyone, from beginners to advanced users, by providing tools like the Arduino IDE and the online IDE, eliminating the need for complex installations and dependencies.
The conversation also touches on the importance of open-source development and community collaboration. David highlights how open-source initiatives have become essential for innovation and profitability in the tech industry. He shares insights from his time at Canonical, emphasizing the value of community-driven development and the shift away from proprietary, locked-in solutions.
David and Peter explore the broader implications of IoT and cloud technologies, discussing their transformative impact on various industries. IoT is revolutionizing how we interact with and manage our environment, from optimizing energy consumption and enhancing agricultural practices to improving industrial production and supply chain management. David provides real-world examples, such as vertical farming in cargo containers, illustrating how IoT can address global challenges like food security and resource optimization.
The discussion also delves into the integration of machine learning with Arduino Cloud. David explains how recent collaborations with Edge Impulse have enabled the deployment of machine-learning models on Arduino boards, making advanced technologies like voice recognition accessible to hobbyists and professionals alike. This integration opens up new possibilities for creating intelligent, self-learning applications without the need for extensive programming knowledge.
Looking ahead, David shares exciting developments in the Arduino ecosystem, including enhanced support for new hardware, improved integration with the local IDE, and innovative features like using mobile phones as IoT devices. He emphasizes the importance of starting with simple projects and gradually building confidence and skills, advising listeners to focus on one or two platforms to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
In summary, this episode offers a comprehensive overview of IoT and cloud technologies' current state and future potential, providing valuable insights for beginners and seasoned tech enthusiasts. David's expertise and passion for making technology accessible and enjoyable shine through, making this a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of hardware, software, and the cloud.
Significant Moments from the Tech Explosions Podcast with David Beamonte
1. Introduction and Background of David (00:00:00 - 00:04:00)
- David's career as a telecommunications engineer.
- His experience with Spanish electronics manufacturer and Canonical.
- Current role as a product manager at Arduino, responsible for Arduino Cloud.
2. Canonical and Open Source (00:04:00 - 00:08:00)
- Discussion on Canonical and its product Ubuntu.
- Importance of open source development and community integration.
3. Arduino Cloud Overview (00:08:00 - 00:12:00)
- Description of Arduino Cloud as an integrated platform for developing, deploying, monitoring, and controlling connected devices.
- Emphasis on simplicity and accessibility for users.
4. Development Tools (00:12:00 - 00:16:00)
- Arduino IDE 2.0 and online IDE.
- Repository of sketches and ease of use for developers.
5. Device and Thing Concepts (00:16:00 - 00:20:00)
- Explanation of devices (physical electronic boards) and things (abstractions for data interaction).
- Use of dashboards for monitoring and controlling devices.
6. Integrations and Use Cases (00:20:00 - 00:24:00)
- Integration with other platforms like Alexa.
- Examples of home automation and industry applications.
7. IoT and Its Impact (00:24:00 - 00:28:00)
- Definition and importance of IoT.
- Use cases in resource optimization, energy consumption, industry, and agriculture.
8. Machine Learning in Arduino Cloud (00:28:00 - 00:32:00)
- Recent addition of machine learning capabilities.
- Example of deploying a voice recognition model on Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense.
9. Future of IoT and AI (00:32:00 - 00:36:00)
- Discussion on AI and machine learning in agriculture and industry.
- Potential for AI to optimize resources and improve efficiency.
10. Upcoming Features and Improvements (00:36:00 - 00:40:00)
- Support for new hardware and integration with other platforms.
- Improvements in widgets, rules for actions, and integration with Project Hub.
- Enhancements in mobile app functionality.
11. Advice for Beginners (00:40:00 - 00:44:00)
- Start with basic projects and tutorials.
- Focus on one or two platforms to build confidence and skill.
- Importance of repetition and gradual learning.
12. Conclusion and Resources (00:44:00 - 00:46:00)
- David's final thoughts and appreciation for the conversation.
- Mention of providing documentation and resources for listeners and viewers.
Here is a list of resources mentioned by the guest, David, during the podcast:
1. Arduino Cloud:
- An integrated platform to develop, deploy, monitor, and control connected devices.
2. Arduino IDE:
- The software used to write and upload programs to Arduino boards.
3. Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense:
- A board with a variety of sensors, including a microphone for voice recognition.
4. Canonical and Ubuntu:
- Canonical is the company behind Ubuntu, a popular Linux distribution.
- Ubuntu
5. EdgeX:
- A framework to develop edge applications, mentioned in the context of Canonical.
6. Edge Impulse:
- A platform for machine learning on edge devices, integrated with Arduino.
7. Project Hub:
- A repository of projects using Arduino boards.
8. Alexa Integration:
- Integration with Amazon Alexa for voice-controlled IoT applications.
9. ESP Boards:
- Mentioned as compatible with Arduino Cloud.
- ESP8266
- ESP32
10. If This Then That (IFTTT):
- Mentioned in the context of creating rules and actions in Arduino Cloud.
- IFTTT
Here is a list of tips, advice, and resources mentioned by David in the podcast:
1. Start Simple: Begin with basic projects like switching on and off a light. This helps build confidence and understanding of the hardware and software.
2. Follow Tutorials: Use available tutorials to guide you through the learning process. Arduino offers a range of tutorials from basic to complex.
3. Use Repetition: Stick to one or two platforms initially and use them extensively to build skill and confidence.
4. Integrate with Other Platforms: Utilize open APIs and integrations (e.g., Alexa) to expand the functionality of your projects.
5. Embrace Open Source: Open source development is the future, allowing for community development and integration with other platforms.
6. Understand the Basics of IoT: Know that IoT involves connecting devices to the internet to collect data and control them remotely.
7. Utilize Cloud Services: Use cloud platforms like Arduino Cloud to develop, deploy, monitor, and control connected devices.
8. Explore Machine Learning: Use machine learning add-ons to create applications that can learn from data, such as voice recognition.
9. Use Mobile Devices as Sensors: Leverage the sensors in mobile devices to collect data and interact with the Arduino Cloud.
10. Stay Updated with New Features: Keep an eye on new features and improvements in platforms like Arduino Cloud, such as rule-based actions and project hub integrations.
This is an edited and shortened version of the full transcript to make it easier for you to read.
Tech Explorations Podcast
Host: Peter
Guest: David
Peter: David, thank you for joining me in this Tech Explorations podcast from Spain, where you are working for Arduino. How are you?
David: Thank you very much, Peter. I'm very good. I'm really honored to be here with you in your podcast.
Peter: Well, it is morning for you, so you're pretty fresh. It's a bit late for me, but I had coffee, so I'm all good to go. I'd like to take a minute to talk a little bit about you first, and then we are going to dig into cloud computing, IoT, artificial intelligence, automation, and other wonderful things. So, I know that you are a telecommunications engineer. From what I've read, you're a software and a hardware person, so you have a firm understanding in both theory and application in both worlds. You've had a long career. Now you are a product manager at Arduino, where you are responsible for the Arduino Cloud. Could you take a minute to tell us a little bit about your background and what eventually led you to become a product manager at Arduino?
David: Sure. As you said, I'm a telecommunications engineer. I geared myself towards electronics and embedded systems early on. After finishing my studies and a couple of transition jobs, I started working for a Spanish electronics manufacturer for over 20 years. We did very cool things, like developing fiber optic devices and IoT devices even before IoT was a term. I wore many hats, starting as a hardware and software developer, and eventually became the engineering manager. After 20 years, I needed a change and joined Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, as a product manager for embedded systems. I worked on products like Ubuntu Core and EdgeX. Then, I decided to move closer to hardware and joined Arduino as a product manager for the Arduino Cloud, combining my hardware expertise with IoT and cloud.
Peter: Your last 20 years in two minutes. It's a long time. I was curious about Canonical because it's one of those companies where the product, Ubuntu, is more known than the company itself.
David: That's on purpose. We discussed it at Canonical that the brand is not well known, but everyone knows Ubuntu. It's a strategy to hide the company name behind the product. Open source has become a viable market option for companies. In the past, companies developed everything in-house, but now community development and open standards are the future. It's profitable, and big companies can make business out of it.
Peter: Things have changed so much. Let's talk a little bit about Arduino Cloud. Could you tell us about its mission in life?
David: Sure. Product management is often misunderstood. My role is to own the product and be the go-to person internally and externally. I coordinate between departments like marketing, content creation, product development, and business stakeholders. The Arduino Cloud is an integrated platform to develop, deploy, monitor, and control connected devices. Our goal is to make it simple for users to create things. We have the popular Arduino IDE, the new version 2.0, and the online IDE, which makes life easier for developers. The Arduino Cloud allows you to store sketches, program devices, and create dashboards to monitor and control them. We aim for simplicity, making IoT accessible for everyone.
Peter: Arduino's history is rooted in education, and it influences the simplicity you mentioned. The tool helps you be a programmer, and it makes you a better programmer by showing you how a professional would write code.
David: Exactly. Many electronic designers are scared of programming, but with Arduino, they feel they can program anything. It helps both electronic and software engineers. We don't aim for zero code because interacting with a couple of functions helps you learn. It's important to have some exposure to the code.
Peter: I agree. Knowing a bit of code makes you a more efficient user of technology. Let's talk about the impact of cloud and IoT technology on society. Could you give us examples of how these technologies are applicable in large-scale problems?
David: Sure. IoT is about connecting things to the internet to get data and control them remotely. The valuable part is the information collected. It sheds light on aspects of our lives we were blind to before. In industry, it's crucial to get information about every stage in the production chain for zero defect production and predictive maintenance. In agriculture, optimizing resources is vital to feed the growing population. IoT helps in creating data-driven agriculture systems. There are many applications, from energy consumption at home to environmental control and industry optimization.
Peter: This technology is at the core of new industries like food management, better transportation, and preservation. It's also replacing human intelligence with artificial intelligence in some areas.
David: Yes, it's ambitious to say that, but we are good at imagining things and creating ideas, but bad at controlling them. Optimizing resources is something machines can do better. IoT and AI will become a daily thing in the coming years.
Peter: Can we go back to Arduino for a second? I wanted to ask about the machine learning add-on to the Arduino Cloud. How is it meant to be used?
David: It's for both home automation and industrial use. We recently integrated with Edge Impulse, allowing users to deploy models on Arduino boards. For example, you can deploy a voice recognition model on an Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense. It can identify keywords and perform actions based on them. This is just one use case, but you can also do video analytics or other complex tasks based on inputs. The limits are very open, and we aim to make it simple for users to get started with machine learning.
Peter: This is something I'll play with in 2023. It's a good chance for people to try out machine learning and create clever, self-learning applications.
David: Yes, machine learning has always been complex, but we need to simplify it for the majority. You don't need a PhD to get started with voice recognition applications.
Peter: Looking at the future, is there anything exciting coming from Arduino in the next one or two years?
David: We are continuously growing in hardware and supporting new platforms. We aim to simplify the journey for beginners and advanced users. We are working on more integrations, like with Project Hub, and improving the mobile app. One interesting feature is using the mobile phone as a device to inject information into the cloud. There are many use cases for this, like detecting accidents or interacting with other things at home or in industry.
Peter: That's very exciting. Do you have any advice for our listeners who want to explore IoT?
David: People have lots of ideas but struggle to find a way to develop them. Start with basic projects, follow tutorials, and build confidence with the hardware. Choose one or two platforms to focus on and learn them well. Repetition brings skill and confidence.
Peter: Thank you, David. I really appreciate your time. I'll provide some documentation for our listeners to follow through on the things we discussed.
David: Thank you for inviting me. I enjoyed it very much.