Day 1 - Intergrating AWS services into a parking project

Petronila — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:13:19 +0000

This is the first post in a one week series where I’ll be integrating AWS IoT Core, Amazon Lex, and Amazon Polly into my existing project, S-PARK.

S-PARK started as a passion project: an AIoT-based Smart Parking System combining Arduino hardware, a Flask + MySQL backend, and AI features like predictive analytics and a voice assistant. It already manages parking slots in real time and helps security personnel with insights and automation.

Why AWS?

While the current stack works fine locally, it becomes limited when scaling across multiple parking zones or when adding more advanced AI features. AWS helps bridge that gap with the following services:

IoT Core: Provides a secure, scalable connection between Arduino devices and the cloud.
Amazon Lex: Acts as a conversational chatbot that staff can query for slot availability or reports.
Amazon Polly: Converts chatbot responses into lifelike speech, enabling hands-free interaction.

By moving from AIoT → Cloud AIoT, S-PARK will go beyond a single server setup, gaining cloud-level scalability, accessibility and intelligence.

For today, we’ll lay the groundwork:
Hardware: Arduino Uno + IR sensors + Servo + LCD.
Software: Flask backend, MySQL, voice NLP with NLTK + spaCy, predictive analytics with TensorFlow.
Features: Role-based dashboards, slot tracking, reports, chatbot, and synced web + LCD interface.

Where AWS Fits
IoT Core will ingest real-time slot data from Arduino (via MQTT).
Lex will power the “brain” of the voice chatbot.
Polly will convert text answers into natural speech for security staff.

Preparation for Tomorrow

Verify AWS credits are active.
Familiarizing with the AWS IoT Core console.
Identify the component that we’ll register as a Thing in IoT Core.(hint: It is the Arduino Uno device in the S-PARK repo)

See you tomorrow for Day 2 where we’ll set up our first IoT device in AWS and send the very first S-PARK parking slot update to the cloud.

12 Weeks of AWS re/Start + Free AWS CCP Exam

Petronila — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 22:21:38 +0000

I graduated on the AWS re/start program under Ajira Digital as part of Cohort 12, where we had an intensive 12-week program that gave the basics to those interested in joining cloud and nailing the practitioner examinations. Here is all you need to know about the program.

AWS re/Start

AWS re/Start is a free, full-time training program created by Amazon Web Services to help individuals from diverse backgrounds launch careers in the cloud.
The program runs across the African continent through regional partners (with Ajira serving as the delivery partner in Kenya). In just three months, the learners would have gone through an intensive mix of:
1.Cloud Fundamentals — AWS services, security, databases, networking.
2.Technical Skills — Linux, Python scripting, version control.
3.Professional Skills — communication, teamwork, resume coaching, and interview preparation.

Certification Prep — structured guidance for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam.

The program is designed for anyone curious about cloud technology, whether you’re a recent graduate, career switcher, or someone looking to upskill.

How the Program Works

The 12 weeks are highly structured and immersive. A typical week includes:

Morning sessions for theory and new concepts.
Hands-on labs where you practice AWS services in real time.
Afternoon sessions for deep dives and collaborative problem-solving.
Career labs dedicated to employability training — CV building, interview prep, and workplace skills.

The schedule is full-time, Monday to Friday, and demands complete commitment. After the 12 weeks, the aws practitioner examination is waived 100 % which is an extra bonus.

To get into the program, here is a pathway I followed:

Apply via the AWS re/Start portal or through a local partner (Ajira in Kenya, other organizations across Africa).
Demonstrate motivation and availability — you’ll need to commit to all 12 weeks, full-time.
Complete the selection process, which includes interviews and assessments by the training partner.
Join a cohort — Here, you are immersed in a community of learners guided by experienced trainers.

Why AWS re/Start Matters

Cloud adoption across Africa is accelerating, but the demand for skilled professionals far outpaces supply. AWS re/Start directly addresses this gap by giving learners not just knowledge, but also career-readiness and connections to employers.