Gesture-Controlled Car Using ESP8266 and MPU6050: A Wireless Solution

Introduction

Gesture-controlled systems allow users to interact with devices through hand movements instead of buttons or remotes. These systems are widely used in robotics, automation, and gaming.

Importance of Wireless Communication in Robotics

Traditional wired control methods limit mobility. ESP-NOW, an efficient wireless communication protocol, enables fast and reliable data transfer between ESP8266 modules, making it ideal for gesture-controlled applications.

ESP-NOW Protocol

How ESP-NOW Works

ESP-NOW is a fast, connectionless protocol that allows ESP8266 modules to communicate without a router. It is ideal for real-time applications like gesture-controlled systems.

Setting Up ESP-NOW Communication

1. Initialize ESP-NOW on both modules.

2. Define one ESP8266 as the transmitter and the other as the receiver.

3. Send gesture data from the MPU6050-equipped ESP8266 to the receiver ESP8266 controlling the motors.

Getting MAC Address

#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>

void setup(){
  Serial.begin(115200);
  Serial.println(" ");
  Serial.print("MAC Address :");
  Serial.println(WiFi.macAddress());
}

void loop(){

}

Components & Circuit Schematic

• ESP8266 (x2): One for the transmitter (gesture input), one for the receiver (car control).

• MPU6050: A 6-axis motion sensor to detect hand movements.

• L298N Motor Drivers (x2): To control the car’s motors.

• DC Motors (x2): Connected to wheels for movement.

• 12V Power Supply: Powers the motors and motor drivers.

• Li-Ion Battery (for ESP8266): Supplies power to the transmitter module.

Transmitter Schematic

Programming the Transmitter (MPU6050)

• Read real-time motion data (roll, pitch, yaw) from the MPU6050.

• Convert movement into directional commands (forward, backward, left, right).

• Transmit the data to the receiver via ESP-NOW.

Receiver

Programming the Receiver (Car)

• Receive movement commands from the transmitter.

• Control the motors using L298N based on received data.

Testing and Troubleshooting

• Ensure ESP-NOW communication is established (check serial monitor).

• Verify correct wiring of motor drivers and power supply.

• If movements are incorrect, recalibrate MPU6050.

Demonstration

Performance Insights

• The ESP-NOW protocol provides a low-latency communication channel between the transmitter (MPU6050 + ESP8266) and receiver (ESP8266 in the car). The typical response time is under 10 milliseconds, ensuring near-instantaneous reaction to hand gestures. However, environmental factors such as interference from Wi-Fi networks can slightly affect responsiveness.

• The MPU6050 sensor delivers accurate motion readings, but occasional drift may occur. Implementing a Kalman filter can improve stability.

• If rapid gestures cause misinterpretation, adjusting the threshold for motion detection can enhance control precision.

GitHub Repository

References & Resources

1. ESP-NOW Official Documentation: [ESP-NOW by Espressif]

2. MPU6050 Sensor: [Datasheet]

3. L298N Motor Driver: [Datasheet]

4. ESP-NOW Projects : [View on GitHub]

Happy coding, happy driving! :)