NodeMcu robot kit

I like  Internet of Things and robotics, so DIY NodeMCU Lua 2WD Open Source ESP8266 WiFi Smart Car Kit was a good match for this to test. DIY NodeMCU Lua 2WD Open Source ESP8266 WiFi Smart Car Kit is a WiFi RC smart car that is designed and developed based on ESP-12E from ESP8266. It can be controlled by mobile phone app and PC (kit can work as WiFi AP or STA). The controller in the robot uses NodeMCU firmware, so it should be easy to modify the applications or write your own as the control program is written using Lua scripting language.

The kit includes the mechanical parts, controller board and two motors. The kit runs on four AA batteries (battery holder was included in the kit, batteries not included). This is quite good set of stuff at pretty reasonable around 20 Euros price (around 22 USD).

Unboxing the kit:

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The kit comes with one page paper document that describes building the mechanics.

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Kit Features:

Motor power supply (VM): 4.5V ~ 36V, can be a separate power supply;
Control power (VIN): 4.5V ~ 9V (10VMAX), can be powered separately;
Module provides short-circuit sub (short the VM and VIN), you can easily use one power (which must be 4.5V ~ 9V) simultaneously drive and control the motor;
Logic Operating current Iss: ≤60mA (Vi = L), ≤22mA (Vi = H);
Working current driving portion Io: ≤1.2A;
Maximum power dissipation: 4W (T = 90 ℃)
Control signal input level: High: 2.3V≤VIH≤VIN; Low: -0.3V≤VIL≤1.5V
Working temperature: -25 ℃ ~ + 125 ℃
Drive Type: Dual high-power H-bridge driver
Support wireless 802.11 b / g / n standards;
Support STA / AP / STA + AP three operating modes;
Built-in TCP / IP protocol stack to support multiple TCP Client connection (5 MAX);
D0 ~ D8, SD1 ~ SD3: used as GPIO, PWM, IIC, etc., port driver capability 15mA;
AD0: 1 Road ADC;
Current: continuous transmission: ≈70mA (200mA MAX), Standby: <200uA;
Transfer rate: 110-460800bps;
Support UART / GPIO data communication interface;
Remote firmware upgrade (OTA);

More documentation for the kit can be downloaded for the DOIT official site www.doit.am and from https://smartarduino.gitbooks.io/user-manual-for-wifi-car-by-nodemcu-doitcar-/content/index.html

Next part is building the kit, but that’s on another posting.

4 Comments

  1. Tomi Engdahl says:

    There seems to be somewhat similar Caterpillar Chassis Smart Robot Kits:

    DIY T100 NodeMCU Aluminum Alloy Tank Track Caterpillar Chassis Smart Robot Kit
    http://www.banggood.com/DIY-T100-NodeMCU-Aluminum-Alloy-Tank-Track-Caterpillar-Chassis-Smart-Robot-Kit-p-1013529.html?p=27131452996820140438

    DIY T200 NodeMCU Aluminum Alloy Tank Track Caterpillar Chassis Smart Robot Kit
    http://www.banggood.com/DIY-T200-NodeMCU-Aluminum-Alloy-Tank-Track-Caterpillar-Chassis-Smart-Robot-Kit-p-1013530.html?p=27131452996820140438

    Reply
  2. Bhargav says:

    Hi

    I need ESP8266 module that has 2/4MBytes of flash.
    I have seen on your site but it doesn’t provide info regarding flash size.
    Can you please provide the detail for the same.

    Thanks,
    Bhargav

    Reply
    • Tomi Engdahl says:

      The NodeMcu robotic kit documentation does not provide information on flash size (or at least I have not found that mentioned).

      I have not done any tests myself to find out the memory size myself.

      Reply
  3. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Somewhat similar rbpt project, but with Raspberry Pi 3:

    Autotron Pi
    Raspberry Pi 3 driving a robot car: internet enabled, video streaming
    https://hackaday.io/project/17929-autotron-pi

    Robot car with Raspberry Pi 3, Pi camera, receiving commands over internet, streaming video to the internet.

    Much like SUROCAM project, but with different – newer – hardware:
    Raspberry Pi 3 model B includes WiFi, with HD camera module option.
    We have had good experiences with L298 Dual H-Bridge Motor Driver and Smart Robot Car Chassis Kit for Arduino.

    Reply

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