ESP32 Robot Car: Components List

If you hold my book “Roboter Autos mit dem ESP32” in your hands, you likely already know how exciting it is to build your own robot car. To ensure your start is smooth and you can begin building your robot car right away, I’ve compiled a detailed shopping list for you here.

This list is intentionally kept short and concise, providing a brief introduction to each component. This way, you’ll know exactly what each part is needed for. To make your shopping as easy as possible, you will also find direct links to products on Amazon here later.

The Brain and Movement

• ESP32 Dev Kit (1 Piece): The heart of your robot car! The ESP32 is a powerful microcontroller with integrated WLAN and Bluetooth, processing all your robot’s commands and handling its control. It is the central processing unit that brings your car to life.

• TT Geared Motors with Wheels (4 Pieces): These motors are your robot’s muscles and provide propulsion. The TT geared motors are ideal for small robot projects as they offer a good balance between speed and torque.

• L298N Motor Driver (1 Piece): For the ESP32 to control the motors, we need a motor driver. The L298N is a proven choice for moving up to four motors independently in both directions. It protects the ESP32 and provides the necessary power for the motors.

Power Supply

• Voltage Converter (Step-Down Converter) (1 Piece): Your robot car requires different voltages. This voltage converter reduces your battery voltage to the required 5V for the ESP32 and other components, and it comes with practical USB outputs.

• USB-A Cable (20 cm long, USB-A to micro-USB) (1 Piece): This short cable serves as a direct power supply for the ESP32.

• USB-A Cable with Open End (1 Piece): An old USB-A cable with an open end is perfect for powering NeoPixel LEDs. You can also repurpose an old charging cable for this.

• 18650 Lithium-Ion Batteries (3 Pieces): These powerful lithium-ion batteries are the energy source of your robot car. They provide the necessary power for hours of driving fun.

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• 18650 Battery Holder (1 Piece): You will need a suitable battery holder for safely and neatly holding the three 18650 batteries.

• Fine-Wire Fuse 2A (1 Piece, preferably 10-pack): A fine-wire fuse protects your robot car’s electronics from overcurrent. It’s best to buy a small pack to have spares on hand.

• Fuse Holder (1 Piece, preferably 8-pack): The fuse holder accommodates the fine-wire fuse and allows for easy replacement.

Wiring and Connections

• Terminal Blocks (1 Pack): These small terminal blocks are ideal for securely connecting multiple cables, especially for power supply.

• Jumper Wires (40 x 20cm): An assortment of jumper wires in various types (female-female, male-female, and male-male) is essential for flexible connections between individual components.

• 2-Core Cable with 0.32 mm² Cross-Section (5m Roll): This flexible, 2-core cable (red/black) is used for powering the various modules in the robot car.

• 4-Pin Male/Female Connectors: These male and female connector pairs are perfect for clean and re-connectable wiring, for example, for the main switch and the power supply of the voltage display in the ESP32 robot car.

• JST SM 2-Pin Male/Female Connectors: These male and female connector pairs are perfect for clean and re-connectable wiring, for example, for the connection between the battery holder and the motor driver in the ESP32 robot car.

• Heat Shrink Tubing (Various Sizes): Heat shrink tubing is ideal for insulating solder joints and exposed cable ends, protecting them from short circuits.

Controls and Displays

• Panel Mount Push Button Switch (1 Piece): This push button switch serves as the main power switch for your robot car. Look for a switch with 2 A switching capacity and screw terminals for easy installation.

• OLED Display SSD1306 (I2C) (1 Piece): A small but fine OLED display for showing important information like battery level, speeds, or status messages.

• NeoPixel LEDs (12 Pieces/Ring) (1 Piece): For cool lighting effects and as a status indicator, NeoPixel LEDs are perfect. You can individually control colors and patterns.

• Bluetooth Game Controller (1 Piece): With a Bluetooth game controller, you can conveniently control your robot car remotely and have full control over all functions.

 

Mounting

• Screws & Nuts (M3) (approx. 20 Pieces): M3 screws and nuts in various lengths are essential for attaching the different components to your robot chassis. The exact number depends on your chosen chassis.

I particularly prefer Sony gamepads as they have caused the fewest problems when connecting to the ESP32 and the necessary libraries.

 

Sensors for the ESP32 Robot Car

If you want to extend the functions of your robot car with sensors as described in the book, you can integrate the following sensors. They enable your robot to perceive its environment, detect obstacles, follow lines, or determine its position and orientation.

• Ultrasonic Sensor (HC-SR04) (1 Piece): The HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor is your robot’s “eye” for detecting obstacles. It emits ultrasonic waves and measures the time until they return as an echo. This allows your robot to determine distances and avoid collisions.

• Digital Light Sensor (GY-302/BH1750) (1 Piece): With the GY-302/BH1750 light sensor, your robot can measure ambient brightness. This is useful for applications where the robot needs to react to light conditions, e.g., automatically switching on lighting when it’s dark.

• Infrared Sensors / Line Sensors (KY-033) (3-5 Pieces): The KY-033 infrared sensors are ideal for detecting a line on the ground. They emit infrared light and measure the reflection. This allows you to program your robot car as a “line follower,” which is a classic and exciting project. A number of 3 to 5 sensors enables precise line guidance.

• The Gyroscope (GY-521/MPU-6050) (1 Piece): The GY-521/MPU-6050 gyroscope is a motion sensor that detects your robot’s rotational movements and acceleration. It is essential if you want to implement stable driving or precise navigation functions, as it helps determine the robot’s orientation.

• Compass Module (GY-271) (1 Piece): The GY-271 compass module is a digital compass that helps your robot determine its cardinal direction. In combination with the gyroscope, your robot can thus perform much more accurate navigation and better assess its position in space.

• GPS Module (GY-NEO6MV2) (1 Piece): With the GY-NEO6MV2 GPS module, your robot gains a sense of its exact position on Earth. This module receives satellite signals to determine latitude and longitude. It is ideal if you want your robot car to navigate outdoors or plan routes.