{"id":7840,"date":"2021-04-13T10:05:32","date_gmt":"2021-04-13T14:05:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dronebotworkshop.com\/?p=7840"},"modified":"2023-04-12T09:14:01","modified_gmt":"2023-04-12T13:14:01","slug":"esp32cam-robot-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dronebotworkshop.com\/esp32cam-robot-car\/","title":{"rendered":"Build an ESP32CAM Robot Car"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Download \"Parts<\/a> \"View<\/a> \"Download<\/a><\/p>\n

Today we are going to build a robot car using the popular ESP32CAM module. This is an amusing and educational project for builders of all ages!<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Our car will have a web-based control interface, so you can drive it and view the camera from any computer, tablet, or phone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

We have already taken a look at the amazing ESP32CAM module<\/a>. This little 9-dollar wonder has an ESP32S module<\/a> with a camera and microSD card, as well as connections to several ESP32 GPIO pins.<\/span><\/p>\n

We are going to use this module as the basis for a simple robot car. We will make use of the ESP32CAMs built-in WiFi capabilities to program a web-based user interface that will allow us to drive the car and to view the video camera output.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can use this design as the heart of a more sophisticated robot, taking advantage of the many functions of the ESP32 to add sensors and output devices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"ESP32CAM<\/p>\n

This robot would also be an excellent project for students or someone teaching electronics to a beginner, as the resulting product is interesting and fun to use and can be expanded and extended in many different ways. Plus there are a lot of fundamental concepts like assembly, soldering, and programming that are involved in building the robot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whatever the reason you have for making it you\u2019ll find it to be a fun and entertaining project. So let\u2019s get started!<\/span><\/p>\n

ESP32CAM Robot Car Parts<\/span><\/h2>\n

I\u2019m going to show you how I built this car, but you don\u2019t need to follow my assembly techniques, although you are certainly most welcome to do so.\u00a0 The real beauty of a project like this is that you can use parts you already have and come up with your own assembly technique.\u00a0 So your robot car won’t necessarily look like my robot car, in fact, it could even be a robot tank, truck, or another vehicle!<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there are some basic components that all designs will require. Let\u2019s take a look at these essential electronic components.<\/span><\/p>\n

ESP32CAM Module<\/span><\/h3>\n

Obviously, you will need an ESP32CAM module, as this is the component upon which our design is based.\u00a0 This is a very inexpensive module available at many distributors, including Amazon and eBay.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"ESP32-CAM<\/p>\n

The module is often shipped with the camera unattached, but it is quite a simple matter to install it.<\/span><\/p>\n

FTDI Adapter<\/span><\/h3>\n

The FTDI (Future Technology Devices International) adapter is a device that allows you to connect a USB port to a microcontroller. These are common devices, and you should have at least one around in your workshop as several microcontrollers require them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"FTDI<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t need to have the adapter permanently attached to the robot, it is just needed to program the ESP32CAM.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your FTDI adapter should have either a jumper or solder pads that allow it to be set to either 3.3-volt or 5-volt logic levels. For this project you\u2019ll want to ensure that you use 3.3-volt logic levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

Motor Driver<\/span><\/h3>\n

Our car will use (at least) two motorized wheels, and those motors will need a motor driver or \u201cH-Bridge\u201d interface to supply ample power and current at the proper polarity.<\/span><\/p>\n

For this project, we will be using the TB6612FNG H-Bridge controller<\/a>, which we have worked with before. Unlike the popular L298N H-Bridge, the TB6612FNG uses MOSFETs to allow for greater current handling and less heat dissipation.\u00a0 The TB6612FNG is also more efficient, providing virtually no voltage drop as opposed to the 1.4-volts you lose when using an L298N.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"TB6612FNG<\/p>\n

These modules are inexpensive and available at many electronics vendors. They usually don\u2019t come with the pins soldered, so you\u2019ll need to install them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Power Supply<\/span><\/h3>\n

Of course, our robot car isn\u2019t going anywhere without a source of power!<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll need to supply two voltages for the car:<\/span><\/p>\n