Palpable vs Embedder
Embedder is an AI agent for firmware engineers, grounded in their chips’ datasheets and their bench. Palpable is for a working device without writing firmware at all.
Who writes the code
PalpablePAL, from a description in plain language
EmbedderAn agent in your firmware repository, in C, C++ or Rust
Where you work
PalpableThe Palpable app, by voice or text
EmbedderVS Code, Cursor or Windsurf, or its command line
Hardware
PalpablePlug-in Qwiic parts; PAL sees what is connected
EmbedderEmbedder lists 600+ chips and boards and 5,800+ peripherals (the full catalog on paid plans), plus your own schematics
Testing on hardware
PalpablePAL reads the live parts to see whether it worked
EmbedderFlashes and debugs through probes like SEGGER J-Link, and drives logic analyzers, scopes and power analyzers
After it ships
PalpableSystem updates over the air that roll back if they fail
EmbedderNot its job: the firmware goes into your own release and update process
Price
PalpableFree to start, no card needed
EmbedderFree for individual, non-commercial use; paid plans for commercial work
When Embedder is the better choice
If you are a firmware engineer bringing up your own board, in C, C++ or Rust, with a debug probe on the bench, Embedder is built for exactly that work. It reads your chip’s datasheets and your schematics, and works inside the toolchain you already have. Palpable does not design or bring up custom boards.
If the job is firmware for a product your team designs, Embedder fits. If the job is the device itself, plug in the parts, describe what it should do, and let PAL run it.
Questions, answered.
Do I need to write firmware with Palpable?
No. Describe what you want, by voice or text, and PAL writes the script and puts it on your board. You can read every line of it in the app.
Which boards does Palpable run on?
You can set up a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, Raspberry Pi 5, Arduino UNO Q or an ESP32 board from Espressif, Adafruit, Seeed, M5Stack or LilyGO today. Raspberry Pi 4 and Radxa Zero 3W are coming.
Can I still get to the code and data?
Yes. Scripts are plain TypeScript. Any project can have its own API key, a live WebSocket and signed webhooks, and you can download all your data at any time.