Developer Documentation

Everything you need to build with the Atech platform.

Learn How It Works

See how to go from an idea to working hardware in minutes.

Pre-order Hardware

Reserve the Early Adopter Kit. Assembled in Denmark, delivered in 3–4 weeks.

Getting Started

Atech is a modular electronics platform. You describe what you want to build in plain text, and the platform generates a hardware configuration with working ESP32 firmware code. Pre-built modules snap onto a motherboard — no soldering, no breadboards.

Describe your project in the prompt box on the home page
The AI analyzes your request and selects the right modules
You get a board layout, wiring diagram, and generated firmware
Drag and drop modules to customize the layout
Flash the firmware to your ESP32 directly from the browser

Board Layouts

Every project targets the same motherboard:

14-Port Board — Landscape perimeter layout with 12 usable ports and 8 adjacent pairs for double-width modules.

Each port is a physical connector on the motherboard. Modules plug into one or two adjacent ports depending on their size.

Module Reference

Each module emits events (sensor readings, button presses, state changes) and optionally accepts actions (commands sent to the device). The schema below is the exact JSON envelope your firmware exchanges with the dashboard or USB bridge — same shape on both transports. Click a module to expand its capabilities.

Temperature & Humidity

aht20_sensor·2 events·0 actions

Events

Event key	Type	Value	Unit	Description
`temperature`	sensor	float	C	Temperature reading in Celsius {"type":"sensor","key":"temperature","value":23.5,"module_type":"aht20"}
`humidity`	sensor	float	%RH	Relative humidity percentage {"type":"sensor","key":"humidity","value":65.2,"module_type":"aht20"}

Actions

No actions accepted by this module.

Air Quality

scd40_air_quality·3 events·0 actions

Events

Event key	Type	Value	Unit	Description
`co2`	sensor	int	ppm	CO2 concentration in parts per million {"type":"sensor","key":"co2","value":712,"module_type":"scd40"}
`temperature`	sensor	float	C	Temperature reading in Celsius (from the SCD40's onboard sensor used for CO2 compensation) {"type":"sensor","key":"temperature","value":23.5,"module_type":"scd40"}
`humidity`	sensor	float	%RH	Relative humidity percentage (from the SCD40's onboard sensor used for CO2 compensation) {"type":"sensor","key":"humidity","value":48.1,"module_type":"scd40"}

Actions

No actions accepted by this module.

Distance Sensor

vl53l5cx_distance·2 events·0 actions

Events

Event key	Type	Value	Unit	Description
`distance`	sensor	int	mm	Distance measurement in millimeters {"type":"sensor","key":"distance","value":1250,"module_type":"vl53l5cx"}
`min_distance`	sensor	int	mm	Minimum distance across all 64 zones {"type":"sensor","key":"min_distance","value":450,"module_type":"vl53l5cx"}

Actions

No actions accepted by this module.

Orientation Sensor

icm40608_imu·11 events·0 actions

Events

Event key	Type	Value	Unit	Description
`accel_x`	sensor	float	g	X-axis acceleration in g {"type":"sensor","key":"accel_x","value":0.98,"module_type":"icm40608"}
`accel_y`	sensor	float	g	Y-axis acceleration in g {"type":"sensor","key":"accel_y","value":0.05,"module_type":"icm40608"}
`accel_z`	sensor	float	g	Z-axis acceleration in g {"type":"sensor","key":"accel_z","value":0.12,"module_type":"icm40608"}
`gyro_x`	sensor	float	deg/s	X-axis rotation rate in degrees/second {"type":"sensor","key":"gyro_x","value":12.5,"module_type":"icm40608"}
`gyro_y`	sensor	float	deg/s	Y-axis rotation rate in degrees/second {"type":"sensor","key":"gyro_y","value":-5.2,"module_type":"icm40608"}
`gyro_z`	sensor	float	deg/s	Z-axis rotation rate in degrees/second {"type":"sensor","key":"gyro_z","value":0.8,"module_type":"icm40608"}
`pitch`	sensor	float	deg	Pitch angle (nose up/down), -90..+90 {"type":"sensor","key":"pitch","value":15.2,"module_type":"icm40608"}
`roll`	sensor	float	deg	Roll angle (left/right tilt), -180..+180 {"type":"sensor","key":"roll","value":-8.4,"module_type":"icm40608"}
`tilt`	sensor	float	deg	Total tilt from upright (0 = flat face-up, 180 = flat face-down) {"type":"sensor","key":"tilt","value":12,"module_type":"icm40608"}
`orientation`	state	string		Coarse orientation: face_up, face_down, edge_right, edge_left, edge_front, edge_back, unknown {"type":"state","key":"orientation","value":"face_up","module_type":"icm40608"}
`shake`	button	int		Edge-triggered shake/tap event (fires once per spike >1.8g) {"type":"button","key":"shake","value":1,"module_type":"icm40608"}

Actions

No actions accepted by this module.

SI1145 Light Sensor

si1145_light_sensor·3 events·0 actions

Events

Event key Type Value Unit Description

Event key	Type	Value	Unit	Description
`uv_index`	sensor	float		UV index (0-11+) {"type":"sensor","key":"uv_index","value":5.2,"module_type":"si1145"}
`visible_light`	sensor	int	lux	Visible light level in lux {"type":"sensor","key":"visible_light","value":450,"module_type":"si1145"}
`infrared_light`	sensor	int		Infrared light level {"type":"sensor","key":"infrared_light","value":120,"module_type":"si1145"}

uv_index

sensor

float

UV index (0-11+)

{"type":"sensor","key":"uv_index","value":5.2,"module_type":"si1145"}

visible_light

sensor

int

lux

Visible light level in lux

{"type":"sensor","key":"visible_light","value":450,"module_type":"si1145"}

infrared_light

sensor

int

Infrared light level

{"type":"sensor","key":"infrared_light","value":120,"module_type":"si1145"}

Actions

No actions accepted by this module.

Potentiometer (Knob)

potentiometer·2 events·0 actions

Events

Event key	Type	Value	Unit	Description
`knob_raw`	sensor	int		Raw ADC value (0-4095) {"type":"sensor","key":"knob_raw","value":2048,"module_type":"potentiometer"}
`knob_position`	sensor	float	%	Knob position as percentage (0-100) {"type":"sensor","key":"knob_position","value":50.5,"module_type":"potentiometer"}

Actions

No actions accepted by this module.

Button

button_module·2 events·0 actions

Events

Event key	Type	Value	Unit	Description
`button_press`	button	int		Button press event (value=1) {"type":"button","key":"button_1","value":1}
`button_release`	button	int		Button release event (value=0) {"type":"button","key":"button_1","value":0}

Actions

No actions accepted by this module.

Light Grid

neopixel_grid·0 events·7 actions

Events

No events emitted by this module.

Actions

Action	Parameters	Description
	—	Set all LEDs to RGB color {"action":"set_color","value":{"r":255,"g":0,"b":0}}
	—	Set LED brightness (0-255) {"action":"brightness","value":128}
	—	Turn off all LEDs {"action":"clear","value":null}
	—	Light a single LED by linear index (0-8 for 3x3 grid). r/g/b are 0-255. {"action":"set_pixel","value":{"index":4,"r":255,"g":0,"b":0}}
	—	Light a single LED by row/column (0-2 each on the 3x3 grid) {"action":"set_pixel_xy","value":{"row":1,"col":1,"r":255,"g":0,"b":0}}
	—	Set every LED in row N (0-2) to RGB {"action":"set_row","value":{"row":0,"r":0,"g":255,"b":0}}
	—	Set every LED in column N (0-2) to RGB {"action":"set_column","value":{"col":0,"r":0,"g":0,"b":255}}

Color Display

st7735_tft·0 events·11 actions

Events

No events emitted by this module.

Actions

Action	Parameters	Description
	—	Display text on a cleared screen using the default font (white on black) {"action":"display_text","value":"Hello World"}
	—	Draw text at (x, y) with size multiplier and RGB565 color. Does NOT clear screen first. {"action":"draw_text","value":{"text":"Hi","x":10,"y":20,"size":2,"color":65535}}
	—	Draw a single pixel at (x, y) in RGB565 color {"action":"draw_pixel","value":{"x":80,"y":40,"color":65504}}
	—	Draw a line from (x0, y0) to (x1, y1) in RGB565 color {"action":"draw_line","value":{"x0":0,"y0":0,"x1":159,"y1":79,"color":65535}}
	—	Draw an unfilled rectangle outline at (x, y) with size (w, h) in RGB565 color {"action":"draw_rect","value":{"x":20,"y":20,"w":40,"h":30,"color":2016}}
	—	Draw a filled rectangle at (x, y) with size (w, h) in RGB565 color {"action":"fill_rect","value":{"x":20,"y":20,"w":40,"h":30,"color":63488}}
	—	Draw an unfilled circle outline centered at (x, y) with radius r in RGB565 color {"action":"draw_circle","value":{"x":80,"y":40,"r":20,"color":2047}}
	—	Draw a filled circle centered at (x, y) with radius r in RGB565 color {"action":"fill_circle","value":{"x":80,"y":40,"r":20,"color":2047}}
	—	Fill the entire screen with a single RGB565 color (use 0 for black, 65535 for white) {"action":"fill_screen","value":0}
	—	Set display rotation: 0 = portrait, 1 = landscape (default), 2 = portrait flipped, 3 = landscape flipped {"action":"set_rotation","value":1}
	—	Clear the display to black {"action":"clear_screen","value":null}

DC Motor

dc_motor·0 events·3 actions

Events

No events emitted by this module.

Actions

Action	Parameters	Description
	—	Set motor speed (-255 to +255, negative=reverse) {"action":"motor_speed","value":200}
	—	Coast to stop (free spin, no holding torque) {"action":"motor_stop","value":null}
	—	Active brake (short the motor terminals — stops faster, holds position briefly) {"action":"motor_brake","value":null}

Knob

rotary_encoder_knob·2 events·2 actions

Events

Event key	Type	Value	Unit	Description
`knob_position`	sensor	int		Current encoder position (cumulative turns) {"type":"sensor","key":"knob_position","value":42,"module_type":"rotary_encoder"}
`knob_press`	button	int		Knob button pressed {"type":"button","key":"knob_press","value":1}

Actions

Action	Parameters	Description
	—	Set LED ring color {"action":"set_ring_color","value":{"r":255,"g":0,"b":0}}
	—	Set LED ring brightness (0-255) {"action":"set_ring_brightness","value":128}

Microphone

microphone·2 events·0 actions

Events

Event key	Type	Value	Unit	Description
`sound_level`	sensor	int		RMS sound level (0-32767) {"type":"sensor","key":"sound_level","value":1200,"module_type":"microphone"}
`sound_detected`	button	int		Sound above threshold detected {"type":"button","key":"sound_detected","value":1}

Actions

No actions accepted by this module.

Robot Arm

robot_arm·2 events·4 actions

Events

Event key	Type	Value	Unit	Description
`joint_positions`	sensor	string		All 6 joint positions as comma-separated values (0-4095 each) {"type":"sensor","key":"joint_positions","value":"2048,2048,2048,2048,2048,2048","module_type":"robot_arm"}
`joint_temp`	sensor	int	C	Joint temperature in Celsius (specify joint in module_type) {"type":"sensor","key":"joint_temp","value":38,"module_type":"robot_arm"}

Actions

Action	Parameters	Description
	—	Move a single joint: value is 'joint_id:position[:time_ms]' e.g. '3:2048:500' {"action":"move_joint","value":"3:2048:500"}
	—	Move all 6 joints: value is 'p1,p2,p3,p4,p5,p6[:time_ms]' e.g. '2048,2048,2048,2048,2048,2048:1000' {"action":"move_all","value":"2048,2048,2048,2048,2048,2048:1000"}
	—	Center all joints to 2048. Value is optional time_ms e.g. '1000' {"action":"center_all","value":"1000"}
	—	Set torque: value is 'on' or 'off' (all joints) {"action":"set_torque","value":"on"}

Speaker

speaker·0 events·5 actions

Events

No events emitted by this module.

Actions

Action	Parameters	Description
	—	Play a tone at given frequency for duration (ms) {"action":"play_tone","value":{"frequency":440,"duration":1000}}
	—	Stop any sound {"action":"speaker_stop","value":null}
	—	Like play_tone but with a short gap between notes — better for melodies (85% sound, 15% silence) {"action":"play_note","value":{"frequency":523,"duration":250}}
	—	Play multiple frequencies simultaneously (max 4) for the given duration in ms {"action":"play_chord","value":{"frequencies":[261,329,392],"duration":600}}
	—	Set output volume (0.0 silent .. 1.0 max). Persists across tones. {"action":"set_volume","value":0.5}

Soil Sensor

soil_sensor·4 events·7 actions

Events

Event key	Type	Value	Unit	Description
`moisture`	sensor	float	%	Calibrated soil moisture, 0-100 % {"type":"sensor","key":"moisture","value":42.7,"module_type":"soil_sensor"}
`conductance`	sensor	float	uS	Conductance between the prongs in microsiemens — the uncalibrated physical measurement {"type":"sensor","key":"conductance","value":18.4,"module_type":"soil_sensor"}
`soil_raw`	sensor	int	counts	Raw oversampled ADC reading, 0-65472. High means dry. Record this when calibrating {"type":"sensor","key":"soil_raw","value":31200,"module_type":"soil_sensor"}
`soil`	state	string		Probe condition: warming up, probe open, saturated, or ok {"type":"state","key":"soil","value":"probe open"}

Actions

Action	Parameters	Description
	—	Record the current reading as the 0% point. Call with the probe held in air {"action":"calibrate_dry","value":null}
	—	Record the current reading as the 100% point. Call with the prongs standing in water {"action":"calibrate_wet","value":null}
	—	Force an immediate measurement instead of waiting for the next timer tick {"action":"read_now","value":null}
	—	Set the on-module status LED, as "r,g,b" with each 0-255. Takes the LED out of its automatic red-to-green-to-blue moisture ramp until set_status_auto {"action":"set_status_color","value":"0,40,0"}
	—	Return the status LED to its automatic moisture ramp: red dry, green moist, blue submerged {"action":"set_status_auto","value":null}
	—	Turn the on-module status LED off. set_status_auto turns it back on {"action":"set_status_off","value":null}
	—	Brightness of the automatic LED ramp, 0-255; default 24 {"action":"set_status_brightness","value":24}

Need the raw JSON? It lives at backend/src/lib/athera_modules/module_capabilities.json — this page mirrors it verbatim.

API Reference

The backend exposes a REST API. All requests go through a centralized URL builder that auto-detects the environment (local, staging, production).

POST

/chat

Send a prompt to the AI to generate a project

POST

/projects

Create a new project

GET

/projects/:id

Get project details

POST

/builds

Start a firmware build

GET

/builds/:id

Check build status

GET

/builds/:id/firmware

Download compiled firmware binary

Firmware & Flashing

Generated firmware targets the ESP32 microcontroller. The build system compiles your project server-side and produces downloadable binaries. You can flash directly from the browser using Web Serial API — no additional tools needed.

Each project picks a transport: WiFi (firmware connects to the gateway and exchanges JSON over a WebSocket) or USB Serial (firmware speaks the same JSON over Serial.println at 115200 baud, with the browser bridging it to the dashboard via the Web Serial API). Switching transport triggers a full rebuild.

Community & Socials

Join the community, follow along with development, and share what you build.

Discord YouTube Instagram X / Twitter TikTok