Empowered by the Ecosystem

Learning Embedded Rust with uFerris

Rust Week 2026 · May 18 · Utrecht, Netherlands

This workshop takes a different approach to learning embedded development. Instead of walking you through peripheral configurations step by step, we'll teach you how to teach yourself — by navigating the embedded Rust ecosystem, reading documentation effectively, and adapting existing examples to your own needs.

What You'll Learn

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Navigate the embedded Rust ecosystem — find the right crates, understand the abstraction layers, and know where to look for answers
• Set up embedded Rust projects from scratch using esp-generate
• Read embedded Rust documentation — on docs.rs, in crate source code, and in example repositories
• Apply the Create → Configure → Control pattern — a mental model that works for every peripheral, every HAL, every driver crate
• Adapt existing examples to new use cases by exploring configuration options and control methods in the documentation

How This Workshop Works

Every hands-on module follows the same workflow:

1. Read — We give you a working example in the workshop repo
2. Understand — You study the code and map it to the documentation
3. Adapt — You modify the example to do something different by discovering new options in the docs
4. Extend — Stretch goals push you to navigate unfamiliar documentation independently

The Hardware: uFerris Megalops

The uFerris Megalops Baseboard is a learning platform purpose-built for embedded Rust education. It's designed to give you a rich set of peripherals to explore without needing to wire anything up — just plug in and start coding.

What's On Board

The ESP32-C3 Xiao

The Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C3 is the brain of the uFerris board:

• Architecture: 32-bit RISC-V (single core, 160 MHz)
• Memory: 400 KB SRAM, 4 MB Flash
• Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5 (LE)
• Peripherals: GPIO, I2C, SPI, UART, ADC, PWM
• USB: Native USB-C (no external programmer needed)
• Power: USB-C powered, 3.3V logic

Why uFerris?

Most embedded workshops require you to bring your own board and spend precious time wiring up breadboard circuits. uFerris eliminates that friction:

• Zero wiring — all sensors and peripherals are pre-connected on the PCB
• Consistent setup — every participant has the same hardware, so we can focus on software
• Rich peripheral set — GPIO, I2C, and more ready to explore from minute one
• Designed for learning — pin labels, clear silk screen, and documentation all matched to the workshop exercises

Fallback: Wokwi Simulation

If you have hardware issues during the workshop, a Wokwi simulation is available. See the Wokwi Setup page for instructions. The simulation covers all core exercises (GPIO, I2C) so you won't fall behind.

Prerequisites

• Rust toolchain with espflash installed (see Setup Guide)
• Basic Rust knowledge: variables, functions, structs, ownership
• Curiosity about embedded systems

Workshop by Omar Hiari — The Embedded Rustacean

Rust Week 2026 · Utrecht, Netherlands