Let me dive into the challenges of developing hardware for embedded. Embedded hardware development can be divided into four stages.
1st stage is prototyping which is costly:
- one prototype = 10 iteration of software = 100 pieces of product
- tools are very cost-saving so model, emulate and simulate everything
- evolution instead of revolution — making everything from scratch at once is usually a bad idea
2nd stage is testing & certification to make the device:
- robust and harmless to the environment
- safe for users and other people
- secure against malicious attacks
3rd stage is manufacturing process which need to be:
- well prepared — single mistake = 1000 issues
- optimized — 1$ on piece = 1000$ of costs
- controled — quality is invaluable
4th stage in embedded hardware development is service:
- the one which need to be avoided — just make the device properly
- but remember customers are like teeth — ignore them and they’ll go away.