Build an ESP32CAM Robot Car

@dronebot-workshop

As usual another great little complete project to show how it is done.

In toys that do something similar there is the option of a hand held controller while the smart phone is used as the display device including putting it in a HUD.

This is my favorite video/article so far; a really nice, inexpensive design with a lot of educational possibilities.  I have a similar project with the ESP32Cam https://github.com/Ezward/Esp32CameraRover2 , but my project focuses on autonomy (although you can still drive it with a joystick).  This video and article inspires me to up my game in terms of supporting materials.

Here is a 3D printed mount I created for the ESP32cam that adapts it for go pro mount.  https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4781843 . I use this in my own ESP32cam robot project.  It leaves all pins and the reset button easily accessible and allows  you to point the camera a little downward for line following or upward if you are doing face recognition.

Couple of questions about the ESP32Cam if anyone has had similar issues. Loading a program with the Arduino IDE requires a specific flash frequency and Flash mode. I purchased 2 ESP's from different vendors and one take pictures horizontal and the other vertical. There doesn't seem to be any way to rotate them 90 degrees so you have to pay attention to which way the module is set. On the flash, my understanding is it shares the SD card pin and isn't controllable if the SD card is in use, which makes me question if Bill was using the SD card along with streaming video and still able to control the flash. Any clarification on these would be appreciated. 

@dronebot-workshop

Very nice to include the tribute to Robo-Pi at the beginning!  Thanks Bill.

@ezward

That comma in your first link and the period in your second link breaks the intended URLs.  Just copy the link, past it in your browser and then eliminate the comma or the period.

@codecage I don't have an option to edit those posts any more.  Can you give me that option or edit those for me?  Thanks.

Posted by: @arlo

There doesn't seem to be any way to rotate them 90 degrees so you have to pay attention to which way the module is set.

Actually, you can do this in the stylesheet, in fact, the code already rotates it 270 degrees (ie. 90 degrees left):

.rotate90 {
-webkit-transform: rotate(270deg);
-moz-transform: rotate(270deg);
-o-transform: rotate(270deg);
-ms-transform: rotate(270deg);
transform: rotate(270deg);
}

If you open the "unminified" version of the app_httpd.css file you'll see this starting on line 678.  This class, rotate90, is called in the code that displays the video stream.  

<div id="stream-container" class="image-container">
<div class="close" id="close-stream">×</div>
<img id="stream" src="" class="rotate90">
</div>

You could either modify the class, create a new class or even eliminate it entirely if the camera is already the right way around.

I also ran into this issue when I was building this, I have ESP32CAM boards from a variety of sources and a few of them were "sideways".

Hope that helps.

😎

Bill

Posted by: @ezward

@codecage I don't have an option to edit those posts any more.  Can you give me that option or edit those for me?  Thanks.

Yes, you can edit a post after you make it, but only for an hour - it's part of the software that runs the forum.

I edited the link for you, that's a nice-looking bracket!  Perhaps you can also design one to use a standard 1/4-inch camera tripod thread.

😎

Bill

@ezward

I see that Bill has already edited the links as I actually saw your request of me before I saw Bill's post.

All looks fine now!

@dronebot-workshop Thanks Bill,  my first project was a PIR motion detection cam that would take a picture and send it to me via email when triggered. I 3d printed a case for it and was wonder how many versions of it I would have to do to make the board fit in the correct orientation of the camera. Thanks for such a great educational experience. 

@dronebot-workshop You can get a go-pro base for standard 1/4" tripod mount for a few bucks; links in the docs https://github.com/Ezward/Esp32CameraRover2/blob/master/docs/building_the_rover.md#3d-printed-camera-mount

@ezward  Actually I already have a few of those, as several of my tripods came with GoPro to 1/4-inch adapters.  And as I don't have a GoPro they are all in my "spare tripod parts" box, although I did use two of them to mount some lasers for an upcoming video.

But I do appreciate the links!

😎

Bill

For anyone in the UK who wants to build this, I've found a useful source on eBay. This seller is offering an ESP32-CAM, antenna and programming board for £9.99
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ESP32-CAM-with-Antenna-Plus-Power-Interface/184749847858

I ordered one on 13th April and it arrived today. The programming board means you don't need to wire up an FTDI adaptor, as the ESP32 just plugs into the board and connects to the computer by USB. I tested the Wi-Fi with it attached to the board, and it worked, although there was a lot of banding on the video, and the LED wouldn't turn on. The ESP32 is now plugged into a breadboard with a 5v supply, and the video works nicely, as does the LED.

I'm waiting for the motor driver and a cheap RC car to arrive before I can go much further. The car probably has a fixed speed, and steering is either full left, right, or straight, but from what I've seen of similar cars I'm hoping I can get full speed control, and proportional steering using a servo. Hopefully I can adapt the sketch to control the steering servo!

I'm hoping the programming board will work with other ESP32-CAMs as well, but so far it's failed to connect on the other two I have (all 3 are different makes). This needs further investigation, unless anyone knows the answer.