How I turned a chest freezer into my personal ice bath sanctuary
Renato Ruggiero Renato Ruggiero

How I turned a chest freezer into my personal ice bath sanctuary

Curious about taking cold exposure to the next level? In this post, I’ll show you exactly how I turned a used chest freezer into a fully functional ice bath, for a fraction of the cost of commercial options. From sourcing the freezer and waterproofing it, to fine-tuning temperature control and keeping the water clean, I walk you through every step of the process. Plus, I share why this DIY setup isn’t just about recovery, but about reclaiming clarity, presence, and what I call FREEZEDOM.

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How breathwork and cold exposure can shift your day, and your mindset
Renato Ruggiero Renato Ruggiero

How breathwork and cold exposure can shift your day, and your mindset

Breathwork and cold exposure aren't magic. But practiced consistently, they can shift how you start your day — and how you relate to stress, emotion, and discomfort. In this post, I share my personal journey with the Wim Hof Method, including a powerful group experience in the snow-covered mountains of Poland.

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Test early, test smart: From HIL labs to Cloud stacks
Renato Ruggiero Renato Ruggiero

Test early, test smart: From HIL labs to Cloud stacks

Local simulations and virtualized test environments are becoming essential tools to accelerate development and reduce costs.

Whether you're testing embedded systems or cloud applications, relying solely on “real” environments like HIL benches or QA deployments often introduces delays and resource constraints. Simulated Software-in-the-Loop setups and local cloud stacks can provide rapid feedback, enabling developers to catch issues earlier and free up critical infrastructure for what truly requires it.

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Some lessons learned in testing hybrid systems
Renato Ruggiero Renato Ruggiero

Some lessons learned in testing hybrid systems

Building an effective testing strategy for hybrid embedded/cloud systems presents unique challenges but is crucial for achieving reliable results. In this article, I wanted to share some lessons learned along the way in building an effective testing strategy for hybrid embedded/cloud systems.

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System Testing for hybrid systems
Renato Ruggiero Renato Ruggiero

System Testing for hybrid systems

System testing is a pivotal phase in ensuring the reliability and functionality of hybrid embedded/cloud systems. This article explores how to independently validate embedded and cloud components before integrating them for end-to-end testing.

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Integration Testing for hybrid systems
Renato Ruggiero Renato Ruggiero

Integration Testing for hybrid systems

Integration testing is a crucial step in ensuring the seamless collaboration of components in hybrid embedded/cloud systems. This phase focuses on testing interfaces and workflows between modules to identify issues that might remain hidden during unit testing.

By investing in robust integration testing strategies, teams can save time, reduce rework, and ensure smoother system-level performance.

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Unit Testing for hybrid systems
Renato Ruggiero Renato Ruggiero

Unit Testing for hybrid systems

Unit testing is the cornerstone of software quality. This article explores the unique aspects of unit testing in this context, addressing the challenges of testing two parallel systems often developed with different languages and tools.

Learn about the tools and frameworks available for embedded (e.g., GoogleTest and gMock) and cloud software (e.g., pytest and moto) to ensure comprehensive coverage and robust testing practices. Discover how unit testing lays the groundwork for higher-level testing activities, helping developers identify issues early and build reliable, high-quality systems.

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Test levels for hybrid systems
Renato Ruggiero Renato Ruggiero

Test levels for hybrid systems

Testing hybrid embedded/cloud systems requires a comprehensive approach across multiple test levels, from unit testing individual components to system integration testing of both the embedded and cloud platforms. This article explores how testing is structured for such systems, emphasizing the importance of validating each level to ensure seamless integration and real-world reliability. Learn how Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) testing plays a critical role in system-level testing, enabling realistic simulations and reducing the need for costly on-road tests. Whether you're optimizing testing strategies or curious about integrating HIL into your workflow, this guide provides valuable insights for building robust hybrid systems.

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Integration challenges for hybrid systems
Renato Ruggiero Renato Ruggiero

Integration challenges for hybrid systems

Integrating embedded systems with cloud platforms unlocks capabilities like real-time updates and remote monitoring but introduces challenges that require careful testing. Issues such as network latency, data consistency, security, and the synchronization of distributed business logic can impact system performance. End-to-End testing plays a crucial role in validating the entire system, ensuring seamless communication, accurate data flows, and correct execution of operations across embedded ECUs and the cloud.

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