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Luke
Luke

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New Year, New You Portfolio Challenge

New Year, New You Portfolio Challenge Submission

This is a submission for the New Year, New You Portfolio Challenge Presented by Google AI

About Me

I am a Hamilton, New Zealand-based Software Developer with a deep focus on building scalable backend systems and intelligent AI integrations. My journey began in IT support, which instilled in me a "reliability-first" mindset. I believe that code shouldn't just be functional—it should be robust and user-centric.

With this portfolio, I wanted to express my evolution from a full-stack developer to an AI-driven engineer, showcasing how Generative AI can solve niche, real-world problems (like automotive diagnostics) and streamline professional workflows.

Portfolio

https://luke-ponga-portfolio-749550182582.us-west1.run.app

How I Built It

My portfolio and project ecosystem are built on a modern, high-performance tech stack:

Frontend: Next.js and TypeScript for a type-safe, responsive experience, styled with Tailwind CSS.

Backend & Logic: C#/.NET and Node.js (Express) for robust API handling.

Database: Supabase and PostgreSQL for reliable data persistence.

Google AI Tools:

Google Gemini API: The core engine for RotorWise AI, where I used advanced prompt engineering to turn vague mechanical symptoms into actionable diagnostic steps.

Google Genkit: Utilized to build structured AI workflows and ensure that the integration between my backend and LLM was seamless and maintainable.

Deployment: Containerized using Docker and deployed via CI/CD pipelines to ensure rapid, reliable updates.

What I'm Most Proud Of

I am most proud of RotorWise AI. As an enthusiast of the Mazda RX-8, I recognized a specific pain point: the complexity of rotary engine diagnostics for average owners. By integrating Google Gemini, I was able to create a tool that feels like talking to a specialist mechanic.

Seeing the AI successfully interpret highly specific "rotary-talk" (like apex seal issues or flooded engines) and provide accurate troubleshooting was a massive technical win for me. It perfectly represents what I strive for: using cutting-edge AI to provide practical, niche value.

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