Hardware Prototyping
Most digital agencies stop at the screen. We don't. When your project requires a physical device — a sensor that talks to the cloud, a controller that responds to live data, or a piece of event technology that has to work flawlessly in front of an audience — we build it.
We design and prototype custom hardware for a range of applications, from IoT devices and industrial sensors through to real-time event and lighting technology. Our hardware work integrates directly with the software and cloud infrastructure we build, giving you a single technical partner across the full stack.
Embedded Systems & Microcontroller Development
Our primary embedded platform is the ESP32 — a capable, versatile microcontroller well-suited to connected devices, sensor applications, and real-time control. We work with it across a range of form factors and use cases, writing firmware in C++ via PlatformIO and designing around its Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and peripheral capabilities.
We handle the full development cycle: requirements, circuit design, firmware, enclosure design, and testing. For projects that need CE marking or other certifications for commercial deployment, we can advise on and support the compliance pathway.
Typical embedded projects include:
- Sensor nodes for environmental, energy, or process monitoring
- Custom controllers for lighting, motors, or actuators
- Connected devices that feed data to cloud dashboards or trigger automated workflows
- Retrofit intelligence — adding monitoring or control capability to existing equipment
IoT & Cloud Integration
A hardware device without reliable connectivity and a well-designed backend is just a box. We build the full picture — firmware on the device, secure MQTT or HTTPS communication, and cloud infrastructure on AWS or NZ-based platforms to receive, store, and act on the data.
We've built IoT pipelines that feed live sensor data into custom dashboards, trigger automated alerts, and integrate with third-party systems. If your use case involves monitoring, control, or automation at a physical level, we can build something that works end-to-end.
Event Technology
Live events have zero tolerance for failure. We design and build event technology — including DMX and Art-Net controlled lighting systems, kinetic installations, and audio-reactive visual systems — for productions where reliability and precision are non-negotiable.
Our event technology work spans custom hardware controllers, wireless and wired DMX infrastructure, and software-driven visual systems using WebGL and real-time shader pipelines. We understand both the technical and production sides of live events, which means we build things that work within real-world constraints — fast rigging, non-technical operators, and high-pressure environments.
3D Printing & Enclosure Design
Functional prototypes need appropriate enclosures — for protection, usability, and in many cases regulatory compliance. We design enclosures in CAD and produce them via FDM and resin 3D printing, iterating quickly through form and fit before committing to more permanent manufacturing.
For projects progressing toward production runs, we can assist with design-for-manufacture review and preparation of files for injection moulding or CNC machining.
Prototyping Through to Production
We're most commonly engaged at the prototype and early production stage — turning a concept into a working device, validating it in the field, and refining it for broader deployment. We're realistic about what's achievable at different budgets and timelines, and we'll tell you early if a different approach would serve your goals better.
For clients with an existing hardware product who need firmware updates, cloud integration, or a new interface layer, we're also well-positioned to step into an ongoing project.
Hardware Meets Software
The real value of working with dodat on hardware projects is the depth of capability on both sides of the stack. Your device firmware, your cloud backend, your web dashboard, and your data pipeline can all be designed and built by the same team — no translation layer, no integration surprises, and no finger-pointing when something doesn't work as expected.
Building something physical? Whether you have a detailed spec or just an idea, we're happy to have an early conversation about what's feasible.