Wi-Fi Controlled RC Car Using ESP32

In the previous, we build a Wi-Fi Controlled RC Car using ESP8266 NodeMCU. Now time to make the same Wi-Fi Controlled RC (Radio Control) Car using ESP32 Development Board. As the name suggested, Wi-Fi Controlled RC Car, I want to mean a robotic car that is controlled over a Wi-Fi network.

If you are following Electro Gadget regularly, you remember that we have built various robots using Arduino like Line Follower Robot, Obstacle Avoiding Robot, Bluetooth Controlled Robot Car, etc.

The following two projects i.e., Line Follower Robot and Obstacle Avoiding Robot do not have any manual control of it. That is there will be no additional inputs from the user apart from the programming of the microprocessor.

But in the case of Bluetooth Controlled RC Car, the processing system wait for the user for appropriate input. This input can be either direction of movement or holding an object at a certain point. Also, there is a problem with the small distance. It is capable of only a few distances (around 100m or less). But in the case of Wi-Fi Controlled RC Car, if you can connect it over an internet connection, it will cover any distance supported on the internet.

In this project, I have built a simple Wi-Fi RC Car that can be controlled over a Wi-Fi network. When the operator press the input for the actual direction for movement, the receiver will receive that command and drive the car in that direction through the Wi-Fi.

Must Read Wi-Fi Controlled Robot Using ESP8266

Principle Behind Wi-Fi Controlled RC Car

The concept of the ESP32 Wi-Fi Controlled RC Car is so simple. The ESP32 dev kit works as a network hub for connecting to the Wi-Fi network and acting as a server. Coming to the client, a simple webpage is created and the browser which opens this web page acts as a client.

Whenever you do any activity on the webpage, the corresponding information will be transmitted to the server (ESP32). Therefore it controls the motors of the Wi-Fi Controlled RC Car.

Circuit Diagram

Components Required

• ESP32 Development Board
• L293D Motor Driver (x2)
• LM7805 5 Volt Regulator
• 1uF/16V Capacitor
• 470uF/16V Capacitor
• 1N4007 PN Diode
• Geared Motor (x4)
• Motor Wheel (x4)
• Car Chassis
• Breadboard
• Connecting Wires
• 3-Channel Battery Box
• 3 Lithium-Ion Battery

Circuit Connection of Wi-Fi Controlled RC Car

The first important thing is that to program the ESP32 Development Board. It is responsible for configuring through serial communication and also controlling the L293D motor driver module. We are using the ESP32 board here instead of Arduino. So the complexity of the circuit connection and coding is waived a little.

First, the inputs of the L293D motor driver module for the left two motors that are IN1, IN2, IN3 and IN4 are connected to GPIO pins D25, D33, D27 and D26 of the ESP32 board. And another four inputs for the right motors are IN1, IN2, IN3, and IN4 pins connected to GPIO pins D16, D17, D18, and D19 respectively. Coming to the robot chassis, it has contained four geared motors. So, we need to connect the left two motors with the M1 and M2 terminals of the motor driver. Similarly, connect the right two motors with M3 and M4 respectively.

Coming to the robot chassis, it has contained four geared motors. So, we need to connect the left two motors with the M1 and M2 terminals of the motor driver. Similarly, connect the right two motors with M3 and M4 respectively.

PCB Design

For removing messy wiring and giving a clean look, I designed a PCB prototype for this project. It is also helpful for troubleshooting that runs great without any errors. To design this PCB board, I used EasyEDA as it is too easy to use. For ordering PCB for this, I prefer PCBWay.

Gerber file for Wi-Fi Controlled RC Car Gerber.

PCB View

Order PCB From PCBWay

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How PCB Manufacturing Process Done in PCBWay

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Guide for Ordering PCB from PCBWay

How to Control Wi-Fi Controlled RC Car

A simple project called Wi-Fi Controlled RC Car using ESP32 Development Board is implemented here. Let me explain how this RC car works.

First, upload the ESP32 code after making the necessary connections and changes to the code. By opening the serial monitor of the Arduino IDE software, we can see the AT commands that are being sent to the ESP32 board.

After connecting the ESP32 board to Wi-Fi, it will assign a static IP and also creates a server. Once the server is made, the ESP32 board is waiting for connecting with a client.

Now, if we type the static IP address into the browser and open the control page, we can find a simple layout that consists of five buttons that are Forward, Reverse, Right, Left and SPEED.

By looking at these buttons, we can understand what each button does. Simply click on the button to perform that particular action. It is as simple as that.

Conclusion of Wi-Fi Controlled RC Car

A simple Wi-Fi Controlled RC Car is made in this project where a robotic car is controlled using a mobile computer browser over a Wi-Fi network.

Anyone can make this project with advanced features by integrating a camera and accessing the live feed on the application using ESP32-CAM.