4 ms·

First of all the epoxy blob may well contain a mostly off-the-shelf SOC, maybe lightly customized (mask programmed ROM, choice of peripherals). Not a full custo

First of all the epoxy blob may well contain a mostly off-the-shelf SOC, maybe lightly customized (mask programmed ROM, choice of peripherals). Not a full custom design. Second, volume! If you're going to make a million of something, the NRE of a relatively low-tech chip isn't so bad. Also, FPGAs can be reprogrammed in the field if necessary.

mjevans 2y ago
Volume dominates here for the same reasons a standard sized screw / bolt will be used anywhere possible. (If even needed at all, the analogy falls apart for seam welded plastics.) The toys are also designed as make once and trash, since that's their sales model. The environmental costs of the resources aren't correctly factored in to the overall price. That super expensive robot arm is a tool that needs to work, it's economic value is in continued production. Modular components that can be replaced are more valued here to make warranty repairs and out of warranty field service possible. The customers literally demand and pay for that functionality.