In the previous project, we discussed how to wake ESP32 using EXT0. ESP32 supports five power modes: active, modem sleep, light sleep, deep sleep, and hibernation. For battery-powered or Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications, deep sleep mode is particularly useful. In this mode, the ESP32 powers down most components, including the CPU, flash memory, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and…
How to design a distance meter using ESP32
The Internet of Things (IoT) has transformed how we interact with one another and our environment. As devices become smarter and more connected, do-it-yourself (DIY) projects have become increasingly popular. One such project involves developing a distance meter using the ESP32, a versatile microcontroller with built-in Wi-FI, Bluetooth connectivity, and diverse capabilities. This project highlights…
How to create an RFID-based locker system using Arduino
Need somewhere to secure a few items? No problem! In this project, we’ll design an RFID-based locker system that offers a reliable and convenient solution for securing objects using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Working operation: The RFID locker system The RFID reader scans a unique tag, and if it matches a pre-registered one, the…
How to design an Arduino-based traffic light system
Traffic light systems are important signaling devices that regulate the flow of vehicles and pedestrians at intersections, crosswalks, and other critical areas. These systems use three primary lights — red, yellow (amber), and green — to manage traffic effectively and ensure safety. In this project, we’ll create a traffic light system for a four-way intersection…
How to capture images using ESP32-CAM and an SD card
The ESP32-CAM is a widely used development board for embedded vision applications. It combines the ESP32 microcontroller with an OV2620 camera module, and the ESP32 itself comes with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. Previously, we created a video streaming server using the ESP32-CAM to troubleshoot potential operational issues with the module. In this project, we’ll…
How to design an Arduino-based meditation device
Meditation is a practice that involves focusing the mind and cultivating awareness, often to achieve a state of mindfulness, mental clarity, inner peace, or spiritual connection. It’s used across cultures and traditions to reduce stress, improve emotional well-being, and enhance self-awareness — making it a valuable tool for mental and physical health. There are several…
How to build a smart system using Arduino that alerts drivers of fatigue
Road safety is a critical concern, with driver fatigue and distractions among the leading causes of accidents. In this project, we’ll devise a smart system using Arduino UNO and a blink-eye sensor to monitor driver alertness. If the driver shows signs of drowsiness, the system takes proactive measures to prevent a potential accident. This includes…
How ESP32 boards can communicate without a router or the Internet
ESP-NOW is a connectionless communication protocol developed by Espressif for wireless data communication between ESP boards. It allows ESP boards like ESP8266, ESP32, ESP32-C, and ESP32-S to communicate directly without a router or Internet connectivity. This enables a private wireless network among ESP devices, eliminating the need for a router, gateway, or Internet access for…
How to set-up and build a project using Arduino IoT Cloud
Arduino IoT Cloud, also known as simply Arduino Cloud is a popular Internet-of-Things (IoT) platform for creating, deploying, and managing IoT projects. The platform was launched in 2019 as a Beta version similar to other platforms, such as Blynk. Since then, Arduino Cloud has undergone several upgrades, adding unique features. It’s best known for its…
How to set-up and use the Heltec LoRa 32 board
Heltec Lora-32 is a high-quality Wi-Fi LoRa (long-range) development board that competes with the Lilygo TTGO T-LoRa32, RAKwireless WisNode LoRaWAN RAK811, and STMicroelectronics Nucleo boards. What differentiates Heltec LoRa-32 is that it’s more than a LoRa-only device, offering Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities. This allows Heltec to easily integrate into existing network infrastructure in an Internet-of-Things…
How to design pick-and-place robot using Arduino
In this project, we’ll design an omnidirectional, moving pick-and-place robot. First, let’s cover how the robot is built. The robot’s build As shown in Figure 1, the robot consists of two sections: An omnidirectional moving platform A robotic arm The omnidirectional platform The robot is built using one circular wooden plate, three dc gear motors,…
How to play MP3 files on Arduino using the DFPlayer Mini or the MP3-TF-16P
Including an audio option with an electronic or Internet-of-Things (IoT) project is often an ideal addition. However, microcontrollers cannot process MP3 files, which is the most common audio file format. Fortunately, there is a solution. It is possible to play MP3 audio files on Arduino using dedicated MP3 decoders like the DFPlayer Mini or MP3-TF-16P.…
How to design an app-controlled irrigation system
In this project, we’ll design a mobile app-controlled watering system that drip irrigates a home garden or small farm. This system is developed on an ESP8266 microcontroller, which controls the water pump through a 3V relay or an electronic valve. The user can switch the water’s motor/electronic valve ON or OFF and even set a…
How to build an IoT-based digital menu using the MIT Inventor App
Digitalization has significantly shifted us toward a paperless society, impacting both personal and professional lives. Take restaurants, for example, where many establishments now offer digital menus. Providing a digital option offers several advantages to restaurant owners, their customers, and the environment. It reduces paper waste, allowing for an interactive experience and real-time updates for the…
How to build a paint application using Arduino
In this project, we’ll build a paint application on Arduino UNO/Arduino Mega that runs on a 3.5-inch TFT touchscreen display based on the ILI9486 driver. The ILI9486 touchscreen has a display resolution of 320×480 pixels. Using a stylus, you can draw, paint, and write on it (even in your own handwriting ). Required components Arduino…
How to design a security system that sounds like a guard dog
It’s been said that one of the best home security systems is owning a dog. In this do-it-yourself (DIY) circuit, we’ll design a unique system that lets you take advantage of a guard dog for security without ever needing to walk or feed it. This DIY system “barks” like a dog whenever motion is detected…
Rohde & Schwarz to showcase the future of broadcasting at CABSAT
Rohde & Schwarz, a global provider of broadcast distribution, is once again exhibiting at CABSAT (stand S1-I20, Dubai World Trade Centre, May 16-18, 2023). The company will take the opportunity to showcase its commitment to meeting industry expectations for advanced functionality, high availability, reliability, and support. It will also show how its products and solutions…
How to play a video on an SSD1306 OLED
Small organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays are commonly used in embedded devices. This is because OLEDs generally cost the same as character LCDs but feature a better user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). Typically, embedded OLED screens are used to display textual messages, but what about videos? For example, is it possible to playback…
Supermicro collaborates with Infineon on green computing
The new dimension of digitalization is enormous and global data volumes will only multiply exponentially in the future with video streaming, virtual conferences, cloud services, cryptocurrencies, and many other digital applications. Experts estimate a 146-fold increase in data in just 15 years. According to the U.S. International Trade Commission, 175 zettabytes (≙ 175,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 bytes) of…
STMicroelectronics updates its TouchGFX suite for enhanced user experiences
STMicroelectronics has released TouchGFX Version 4.18 for user-interface development with STM32* microcontrollers (MCUs), adding video playback, enhanced tools for multi-developer collaboration, and support for new X-NUCLEO display kits. By allowing playback of Motion-JPEG (MJPEG) video files, TouchGFX brings extra pizzazz to small devices like home-automation products, wearables, medical devices, and industrial sensors. It also provides rich features such…