How to build an AI hardware demo
Start with a simulated sensor in the HardwareBlocks web app. Publish a starter dashboard, then give your coding assistant the sensor schema and ask it to adapt the interface. Replace simulation with a claimed, connected device when the hardware is ready. No physical kit is needed for the first software demo.
Build it step by step.
Create your workspace
Open the web app and choose Create workspace. Download and store the recovery key privately. The beta has no email-based account recovery.
Choose a simulated input
Choose Climate Kit for a first temperature dashboard and click Add simulation. Click Send example event on the new device. This creates an explicitly simulated climate.sample event.
Build the interface
Click Build starter layout. You should see a temperature widget and a SIMULATION label. The example value is a software fixture, not a reading from your room.
Ask AI to adapt it
Copy the prompt below into your coding assistant. It can return a JSON layout to paste into the app. A compatible MCP client can publish the layout directly using a privately configured bearer token.
Check the failure states
Remove or withhold events and test an empty dashboard. In a custom application, display event age, a stale-data state and clear simulation labels. Do not interpret missing data as zero.
Connect physical hardware
Order the matching kit. Once provisioned, enter its claim code and configure its Wi-Fi connection. Use its actual device ID in the layout. Keep physical and simulation devices distinct and confirm an event labelled PHYSICAL before demonstrating real hardware.
A demo is not an inference service
The built-in renderer supports metric, status, JSON and camera widgets. It does not execute arbitrary AI-generated JavaScript. For image understanding, notifications or analysis, build a separate backend and keep provider keys there. Only send the data your application needs.
Your starting prompt.
Copy into your coding assistant. Keep all private keys out of the prompt.