AI Assistance Documentation

Tool: Kiro (AI development environment by Amazon) · Student: Oliver Abbott · Program: Fab Academy 2026, Charlotte Latin Fab Lab

How the AI Was Used

Kiro AI was used as a development tool to build and maintain the Fab Academy documentation website. The student provided all project content (photos, descriptions, technical details, design files) and the AI:

  1. Built the HTML site structure — created page templates, navigation, dropdowns, layout
  2. Rephrased and formatted content — took student's raw information and reformatted it into HTML, fixing grammatical and punctuation issues and rewording for clear reading
  3. Wrote illustrative code examples — Python and Arduino code snippets for documentation (all verified on actual hardware)
  4. Managed git workflow — committed changes and pushed to GitLab using shallow clone method
  5. Created the presentation slide — HTML/CSS layout for presentation.png
Student did: ALL physical fabrication, CAD design (Fusion 360, KiCad), hardware assembly, photography, Arduino/Python development, cloud dashboard development, and all engineering decisions.
AI did: HTML/CSS site structure, rephrasing and formatting student content for readability, fixing grammar/punctuation, illustrative code snippets, git push workflow, presentation slide layout.

Site Architecture

The entire website is static HTML with inline CSS. The AI created:

All styling is inline — the main style.css was not modified (previous modifications broke other pages).

Per-Week Breakdown

Week 1 — Principles & Practices

AI created initial HTML page structure and formatted project planning content.

Week 2 — Computer-Aided Design

AI built expandable dropdowns for Fusion 360 steps (split into Part 1 and Part 2), added Blender/Inkscape sections, fixed max-height CSS issue (5000px → 200000px).

Week 3 — Computer-Controlled Cutting

AI formatted laser cutting documentation, added Epilog workflow steps, corrected file formats (STL → DXF/SVG for 2D), added material specifications.

Week 4 — Embedded Programming

AI built page with code blocks, added datasheet links, serial communication code, learning resources, fixed image mismatches.

Week 5 — 3D Printing & Scanning

AI created page with volumetric lattice documentation, added Fusion 360 screenshots, Bambu slicer screenshot, embedded 3D STL viewer using Three.js.

Week 6 — Electronics Design

AI built KiCad workflow documentation, DRC/ERC sections with screenshots, MODS verification section, SVG download buttons, board outline and trace width documentation.

Week 7 — CNC Machining

AI added feeds/speeds tables (plywood + cedar), end mill specs with vendor link, tab setup details, ShopBot ATC workflow, Fusion 360 file download button.

Week 8 — Electronics Production

AI built page documenting XIAO ESP32-C6 milling, added Carvera CNC specs/vendor link, MakerCAM screenshots per phase, design file downloads, soldering documentation, LED blink code.

Week 9 — Input Devices

AI built full page with sensor documentation, wrote Python sensor reading code (adafruit_sht4x + tca9548a), added physical properties explanation, ESP32-C6 board section with hero shot, fabrication link, code explanation, problems/fixes.

Week 10 — Output Devices

AI built LED PCB documentation, wrote Python gpiod control code, added power calculations, working photo, green LED issue note, ESP32-C6 as microcontroller section.

Week 11 — Networking & Communications

AI added LED networking section (MQTT command path), ESP32-C6 weight sensor UART documentation with actual Arduino code, WiFi/MQTT alternative example, Pi-in-place photo.

Week 12 — Machine Week

AI built Z-axis and tool head documentation, added interactive GLB 3D model viewer.

Week 13 — Molding & Casting

AI built full page for beeswax candle molds, added design screenshot, silicone safety datasheet link, formatted two-stage molding process.

Week 15 — Interface & Application Programming

AI built three main sections (Local Dashboard, Cloud MQTT Agent, Cloud Dashboard), wrote step-by-step build guide based on student's actual repo, added DashboardGrid.jsx code, Zustand pattern, LED control path, Spring Boot overview, data flow diagram, group work reflection.

Week 16 — System Integration

AI added printed housing photos, assembly photos (Pi wired up, load cells, entrance, wired entrance), description of dad helping with ribbon cables.

Week 17 — Wildcard (Welding)

AI added safety note about Crocs (student's reflection), MIT welding reference PDF link.

Week 18 — Applications & Implications

AI built project planning page (scope, questions, evaluation, BOM, schedule, risks), created presentation slide, added video player, updated Gantt chart, formatted BOM with fastener detail, added ffmpeg commands.

Week 19 — Invention, IP & Income

AI built dissemination plan, IP strategy, future opportunities tables, updated licensing to proprietary, added pricing model, future plans (app, QR binding).

Week 20 / Final Project

AI built entire multi-tab final project page (overview, midterm, CAD & Build, Camera, Sensors, Connectivity, BOM, Goals), created embedded slide and video, added "What Worked", "Evaluation", "Implications" sections, system diagram with ESP32-C6, camera location photos, dashboard screenshot, ESP32 integration photos.

Index Page

AI updated week status badges throughout the project and fixed inconsistent wording.

About Page

AI added small footer note linking to this documentation.

Presentation Slide

AI designed and coded the 1920×1080 HTML/CSS slide with three-column layout, photos, specs, and metrics. Multiple iterations based on student feedback.

What the Student Did (NOT the AI)

Note on Source Code

The full Smart-Beehive source code (React dashboard, Spring Boot API, Pi agent, Terraform) is in a separate private repository — intended for potential consumer market commercialization. The Fab Academy site documents enough for replication without exposing proprietary implementation.

Current dev site: https://dev.hive-monitor.com/

Last updated: June 2026