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CEC Semester Twenty Eight 2025

Exploring Smart AI Lens with the Micro:bit

Dr. Don Wilcher -
Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama - Birmingham
September 22,
2025
Introduction to the Smart AI Lens with the Micro bit
In this first-day webinar session, participants will be introduced to Elecfreak’s Smart AI Lens and the Micro:bit. The architecture of the Smart AI Lens and the Micro:bit will be presented and discussed. The Smart AI Lens Kendrtye’s K210 Neural Processing Unit (NPU) and the Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF51822/52833 System-on-Chip (SoC) topics will be included in the architecture discussion. Key terms and definitions of the NPU and SoC terminology will be presented. The introduction hands-on lab will consist of constructing a logic gate-enabled I2C LCD module using a micro:bit.
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September 23,
2025
Smart AI-Lens Micro bit Integration
On the second day of the webinar course, CEC participants will learn the approach to integrating the Smart AI Lens with the Micro:bit. A mini primer on the Inter-Integrated IC (I2C) protocol will be presented in this session. The Keyestudio Sensor Shield will be introduced with a small hands-on activity application. A review of the electrical integration wiring diagram will be discussed in this session. The hands-on lab will consist of integrating and testing the Smart AI Lens with a Micro:bit. The No-Code Blockly Code approach to visual programming will be presented.
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Webinar
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September 24,
2025
Understanding Recognition Models
On the third day, several recognition models will be presented. The recognition models to be discussed are Object Detection, Image Classification, Feature/Pattern, and Tracking. CEC participants will learn to assemble a recognition model using MicroPython with the Smart AI Lens and the Micro:bit. A mini primer on MicroPython will be provided in the assembly discussion. The hands-on lab will consist of building a Cards Recognition Model using the Smart AI Lens, the Micro:bit, and MicroPython.
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Webinar
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September 25,
2025
Building a Recognition Application Workflow
CEC participants will learn to set up a Recognition Application Workflow. A discussion on the Smart AI Lens API will be presented in this session. A Characteristics Learn feature will be discussed and presented as a mini hands-on activity along with a workflow. The Characteristics Learn feature will be enhanced to detect a 9V battery. Participants will set up the workflow using MicroPython to build an enhanced version of the Characteristic Learn Feature. The hands-on lab will consist of building and testing the enhanced Characteristic Learn Feature.
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September 26,
2025
Prototyping an Object Detection Machine
On the final day of the webinar series, the automation strategy for building an Object-Sorting Robot prototype will be explained and demonstrated using the Smart AI Lens and the Micro:bit. CEC participants will learn how to code the Object-Sorting Robot using Blockly Code. The ABB Wizard Easy programming method, a Blockly Code derivative used to program their collaborative robots, will be discussed in this final session. A workflow for assembling the Object-Sorting Robot prototype will be presented. The hands-on lab will consist of building and testing the Object-Sorting Robot using Blockly Code, the Smart AI Lens, the Micro:bit, and a servo motor.
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Webinar
Special Educational Materials
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Instructor
Dr. Don Wilcher
Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama - Birmingham

Dr. Don Wilcher, an Electrical Engineer, is an Associate Certified Electronics Technician (CETa), a Technical Education Researcher, Instructor, Maker, Emerging Technology Lecturer, Electronics Project writer, and Book Author. His Learn Electronics with Arduino book, published by Apress, has been cited 80 times in academic journals and referenced on patents.

He is the Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alabama - Birmingham. His research interest is Embedded Controls, Robotics Education, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence applications and their impact on Personalized Learning, Competency-Based Models curriculum, and instructional development in Mechatronics, Automation, IoT, Electronics, Robotics, and Industrial Maintenance Technologies. He is also the Founder and owner of MaDon Research LLC, an instructional technology consulting, technical training, and electronics project writing company serving Electronics Marketing Media, Technical and Engineering Education companies.