I finally spoke at PyCon India! It was a great experience and a significant milestone in my career. I was a bit nervous speaking as someone who had just lost hearing in one ear, but I am glad that the organizers had arranged the “silent conference” system. The headphones supported mono-channels, which is a blessing for someone who is single-sided deaf, like me.

The Talk: MicroPython Adventures

My talk focused on MicroPython and hardware hacking, covering practical applications of Python in embedded systems. I demonstrated various projects and discussed how Python’s simplicity makes hardware programming accessible to a broader audience.

Conference Experience

PyCon India 2019 was an incredible experience. The community was welcoming, the technical content was top-notch, and the organization was excellent. Speaking at such a prestigious conference was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating.

Technical Setup

The conference’s “silent conference” system was innovative:

• Individual headphones for each attendee
• Mono-channel support for accessibility
• Clear audio delivery without room acoustics issues
• Reduced ambient noise and distractions

This setup was particularly beneficial for speakers and attendees with hearing challenges.

The Shelfie Project

One of the main projects I discussed was “Shelfie” - a smart bookshelf management system built with MicroPython. The project demonstrated:

• Hardware Integration: Sensors, displays, and network connectivity
• Python Simplicity: Complex hardware tasks made simple with Python
• Real-world Applications: Practical home automation solutions
• Community Learning: How to get started with hardware hacking

Watch the Talk

The full talk is available on YouTube:

Video Link: PyCon India 2019 - MicroPython Talk

Key Takeaways

• Python’s reach extends far beyond web development and data science
• Hardware programming doesn’t have to be intimidating
• Accessibility in tech conferences makes events inclusive for everyone
• The Python community is incredibly supportive of new speakers

Personal Growth

• Confidence Building: Successfully presenting despite hearing challenges
• Technical Depth: Deep dive into embedded systems and hardware
• Community Engagement: Connecting with fellow Python enthusiasts
• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing back to the community that taught me so much

Future Plans

This talk opened doors to more hardware experimentation and community involvement. I hope to:

• Expand the Shelfie project with more advanced features
• Write detailed tutorials about MicroPython projects
• Speak at more conferences about hardware + Python combinations
• Help make tech conferences more accessible for people with disabilities

Questions and Discussion

Feel free to reach out on Twitter if you have questions about the talk, MicroPython, or accessibility in tech conferences. I’m always happy to discuss hardware projects and how Python can make embedded development more approachable.

This talk represented a significant milestone in my journey with Python and hardware programming. It demonstrated how accessible modern embedded development has become, and how the Python community continues to push boundaries in making technology inclusive for everyone.