Complete Robotic Car Control with MQTT & NodeMCU 1

Black and Orange How to Grow Business YouTube Thumbnail 2 ROBOT
0
0

Introduction to DIY Robot

In this DIY tutorial, we’ll explore the fascinating world of MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) and NodeMCU-based robotic car control. MQTT is a lightweight messaging protocol that enables efficient communication between devices, and NodeMCU is an open-source platform based on the ESP8266 microcontroller. By combining these technologies, we can create a powerful and customizable system for remotely controlling a robotic car. So, let’s dive in and learn how to build our own MQTT-based robotic car control system!

Step 1: Setting up the Hardware:
To begin, gather the necessary hardware components, including a NodeMCU board, a motor driver module, DC motors, wheels, a power supply, and a robotic car chassis. Follow the provided circuit diagram to connect the components properly. Ensure that the NodeMCU is securely mounted on the chassis.

Hardware Required:

To get started, you will need the following components:

  1. NodeMCU development board
  2. Motor driver module
  3. DC motors
  4. Robot car chassis
  5. Jumper wires
  6. Power source (battery pack or USB power bank)
  7. Breadboard (optional)

Wiring the Robotic Car:

  1. Connect the motor driver module to the NodeMCU board.
  2. Connect the DC motors to the motor driver outputs.
  3. Connect the power source to the motor driver and NodeMCU.

Step 2: Installing the Required Libraries:
Next, we need to install the required libraries in the Arduino IDE. Install the “PubSubClient” library for MQTT communication and the “ESP8266WiFi” library for Wi-Fi connectivity. These libraries will enable us to establish a connection between the NodeMCU and the MQTT broker.

Software Setup:

  1. Install the Arduino IDE on your computer.
  2. Install the necessary libraries for NodeMCU and MQTT support.
  3. Configure the Arduino IDE for NodeMCU development.
  4. Connect your NodeMCU board to your computer using a USB cable.

Step 3: Configuring the Wi-Fi and MQTT Parameters:
Configure the Wi-Fi credentials in the code to allow the NodeMCU to connect to your local Wi-Fi network. Additionally, specify the MQTT broker’s IP address or domain, port number, and the MQTT topics for sending and receiving commands.

Step 4: Writing the Code:
Now, let’s dive into the code. Create a new Arduino sketch and import the necessary libraries. Declare the variables and objects required for Wi-Fi, MQTT client, and motor control. In the setup function, establish the Wi-Fi connection and MQTT connection. In the loop function, subscribe to the MQTT topic and listen for incoming messages. Based on the received commands, control the robotic car’s movement by adjusting the motor control signals.

Step 5: Uploading the Code and Testing:
Connect the NodeMCU to your computer using a USB cable and upload the code to the board using the Arduino IDE. Once the code is successfully uploaded, disconnect the NodeMCU from the computer and power it using an external power supply. Verify that the NodeMCU connects to the Wi-Fi network and establishes a connection with the MQTT broker. You can now send commands to the robotic car via an MQTT client or a mobile app that publishes messages to the specified MQTT topic.

Testing and Control:

  1. Upload the code to the NodeMCU board.
  2. Open an MQTT client on your smartphone or computer.
  3. Connect the MQTT client to the same broker as configured in the code.
  4. Publish control commands (such as forward, backward, left, right, stop) to control the robotic car’s movements.
DIY Robot: MQTT and NodeMCU-Based Robotic Car Control for Remote Operation

Conclusion:
Congratulations! You have successfully built an MQTT and NodeMCU-based robotic car control system. This DIY project demonstrates the power of MQTT in enabling seamless and efficient communication between devices, allowing you to remotely control the movement of a robotic car. You can further expand this project by adding additional sensors, implementing obstacle avoidance algorithms, or integrating it with other IoT devices in your smart home.

Remember, the possibilities are endless when it comes to DIY projects, so feel free to experiment and explore new ideas. Have fun building and customizing your MQTT-based robotic car control system, and enjoy the thrill of remotely maneuvering your robotic creation!

Download Full Code

Also, check out our other playlist Rasa ChatbotInternet of thingsDockerPython ProgrammingMQTT, etc.
Become a member of our social family on youtube here.

Stay tuned and Happy Learning. ✌🏻😃

Leave a Reply