AutoProber: AI-driven flying probe automation for hardware hacking

What AutoProber does

AutoProber is a hardware hacker's flying probe automation stack designed to give AI agents everything needed to go from detecting a new target on a plate to safely probing individual pins. The system handles target discovery, microscope mapping, safety-monitored CNC motion, probe review, and controlled pin probing.

Workflow and operation

The typical workflow involves telling the agent to ingest the project, connecting all hardware, having the agent confirm all parts are functioning, running homing and calibration, attaching the custom probe and microscope header, and then notifying the agent of a new target on the plate. The agent will find the target location, take individual frames while recording XYZ coordinates, note pads, pins, chips, and other features, stitch frames together, annotate the map, add probe targets to the web dashboard for approval or denial, probe approved targets, and report back.

Hardware control and safety

All hardware can be controlled through the web dashboard, Python scripts, or by the agent itself. The project treats hardware movement as a machine-control system rather than a normal web app. The safety model requires continuous monitoring of oscilloscope Channel 4 during any motion, with any Channel 4 trigger, ambiguous voltage, CNC alarm, or real X/Y/Z limit pin serving as a stop condition. Recovery motion is not automatic.

Repository structure

• apps/ - Operator-facing scripts and Flask dashboard entrypoint
• autoprober/ - Reusable Python package for CNC, scope, microscope, logging, safety
• dashboard/ - Single-page web dashboard
• docs/ - Architecture, device references, operations, and safety guidance
• cad/ - Printable STL files for the current custom toolhead
• config/ - Example environment/configuration files

Hardware stack

The tested architecture uses:

• GRBL-compatible 3018-style CNC controller over USB serial
• USB microscope served by mjpg_streamer
• Siglent oscilloscope over LAN/SCPI for Channel 4 safety monitoring and Channel 1 measurement
• Optical endstop wired to an external 5V supply and oscilloscope Channel 4
• Optional network-controlled outlet for lab power control

Reference parts

The prototype uses specific parts including optical end stop, USB microscope, SainSmart Genmitsu 3018-PROVer V2, Matter Smart Power Strip, Siglent SDS1104X-E Oscilloscope, Dupont wires, pen spring or similar light compression spring, and 3D printer for printable toolhead parts.

License and status

The repository is a self-contained source-available release candidate under PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 license with commercial contact available. It uses Python with dependency resolution via uv.lock.