TL;DR: We needed a more durable, field-ready badge cloning tool for physical security assessments, so I decided to build one myself despite having no formal hardware background. The process meant learning electrical engineering fundamentals from scratch, validating everything, and accepting that hardware punishes bad assumptions. AI and online resources helped, but only when paired with datasheets...
The article showcases the author's determination to learn hardware design despite having no prior experience. This reflects a broader theme of curiosity and persistence in pursuing projects beyond one's comfort zone. The author's approach to learning involves extensive research, collaboration with experienced engineers, and leveraging online resources such as Google, YouTube, and ChatGPT. However, they emphasize the importance of verifying information and seeking advice from experts to avoid mak...