AI can generate CAD. Hardware still needs human judgment

The author of Protobench argues that as AI makes generating code and CAD easier, more value lies in deciding what to make, what matters about it, and which compromises to accept, comparing the workspace to Figma as a place to work through design judgment. Protobench already offers editable mechanical and PCB design, ProtoAgent, measurements, single-part structural simulation, materials, sourcing, and manufacturing exports, plus a Studio for appearance and rendering. It is being built under OpusLABS for independent hardware builders and small teams.