ESP32 Bluetooth Car | Android + iPhone | DIY 🔥

Summary

In this tutorial, we show you how to build a Bluetooth-controlled car using the ESP32 module, which features built-in Bluetooth. The project involves assembling a 4WD car kit, wiring motors to an L298 motor driver, and integrating the ESP32 to control the car via the free Dabble mobile app. The car can be controlled using both Android and iPhone devices. We walk you through the assembly, coding, and setup process, including installing necessary libraries, writing the control code, and connecting the car to the mobile app. A fun and engaging DIY electronics project for makers and tech enthusiasts!

Takeaways

• 😀 The project involves building a Bluetooth-controlled car using the ESP32 module, which has built-in Bluetooth capabilities.
• 😀 The car can be controlled via both Android and iPhone using the Dable mobile app.
• 😀 Essential components for the project include a 4WD car kit, ESP32 module, L298 motor driver, motors, wheels, battery, jumper wires, and double-sided tape.
• 😀 The assembly process starts with mounting the motors on the car chassis and connecting the wires correctly.
• 😀 The L298 motor driver module is used to control the motors, and it is attached to the chassis with double-sided tape.
• 😀 The ESP32 module is also fixed to the car chassis and connected to the motor driver module and power sources as per the circuit diagram.
• 😀 The code for controlling the car is written in Arduino IDE, requiring installation of the ESP32 board and Dable ESP32 library.
• 😀 Key code components include defining motor pins, setting motor speed, and implementing a function for rotating motors forward or backward.
• 😀 The car's Bluetooth communication is initialized in the setup function with the name 'My Bluetooth Car'.
• 😀 After uploading the code to the ESP32, the mobile app connects to the car's Bluetooth and uses a gamepad interface to control it.
• 😀 The video concludes by encouraging viewers to like, share, comment, and subscribe for future updates on similar projects.

Q & A

What materials and components are needed to build the Bluetooth-controlled car?

To build the Bluetooth car, you will need a 4WD car kit (which includes a car chassis, four TT gear motors, wheels, connectors, and screws), an ESP32 module, an L298 motor driver module, a 12V DC battery (preferably a LiPo 3S battery), double-sided tape, and some jumper wires.

How do you assemble the car's motor setup?

To assemble the car, first attach the wires to the motors, mount all four motors onto the car chassis using connectors and screws. Then, join the car chassis plates with screws, ensuring they are tightly fixed to prevent loose parts. After that, connect the red and black wires of the DC motors to the motor driver module.

What is the purpose of the L298 motor driver in the setup?

The L298 motor driver is used to control the motors of the car by regulating the speed and direction. It receives signals from the ESP32 module to drive the motors, controlling their rotation based on the input received from the Bluetooth mobile app.

How is the ESP32 module integrated into the car?

The ESP32 module is mounted on the car chassis using double-sided tape. It is connected to the L298 motor driver using jumper wires, which allows it to send and receive control signals for the motors. The module is powered through the motor driver by tapping into the 5V and ground pins.

What software setup is required for controlling the car?

The software setup involves installing the ESP32 board through the Arduino IDE's Board Manager, followed by installing the 'Dable ESP32' library. The code defines motor pins, motor speed, and Bluetooth communication settings, and it utilizes the gamepad module to receive control commands from a mobile device.

What are the key parts of the provided code?

The code includes functions to set up motor pins, rotate motors in forward or backward directions based on speed, and manage Bluetooth communication. The ESP32 is programmed to receive control input from the mobile app and drive the motors accordingly, with speed control via PWM (Pulse Width Modulation).

How do you upload the code to the ESP32?

To upload the code, you need to connect the ESP32 module to the laptop via USB, select the correct ESP32 board and port in the Arduino IDE, and hit the 'Upload' button. Once the code is uploaded, disconnect the USB and connect the battery to the car.

What is the role of the 'Dable' mobile app in the project?

The Dable mobile app is used to send commands to the ESP32 module via Bluetooth. It enables users to control the car using a gamepad interface, allowing them to drive the car forward, backward, and control speed.

What are the specific steps to connect the mobile app to the car?

To connect the mobile app to the car, download the Dable app, open it, and connect to the ESP32 Bluetooth module, which will be listed as 'My Bluetooth Car.' Once connected, go to the Gamepad module in the app to start controlling the car.

What is the maximum motor speed defined in the code?

The maximum motor speed is defined as 255 in the code, which is the highest value for PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), allowing the motors to run at full speed.