WHAT WILL YOU LEARN FROM THIS TUTORIAL
NODE MCU
WHY NODE MCU/ESP8266 IS USED IN IOT PROJECTS
HOW TO UPLOAD THE CODE IN NODE MCU
WHAT IS L298N AND WHY USE IT
WHAT IS THE SELF-BALANCING ROBOT
What does PCB mean
Why should we use PCBs in our project
HOW TO MAKE PCB BOARDS EASILY
HOW TO ASSEMBLE THE HARDWARE PARTS
HOW TO CONTROL THE ROBOT USING A SMARTPHONE

Make Your Own Creation Marketing Manager

Published March 9, 2022 © GPL3+

How to make Wi-Fi Controlled Sefl-balancing robot | ESP8266

I have already made so many wifi-controlled robots using ESP8266. Today, l am making wifi controlled bot like before but it's self-balanced.

BeginnerProtip4 hours3,006

How to make Wi-Fi Controlled Sefl-balancing robot | ESP8266

Things used in this project

Hardware components

NodeMCU ESP8266 Breakout Board

SparkFun Full-Bridge Motor Driver Breakout - L298N

Jumper wires (generic)

SparkFun Dual H-Bridge motor drivers L298

DC Motor, 12 V

Pimoroni Maker Essentials - Micro-motors & Grippy Wheels

Software apps and online services

JLCPCB EasyEDA

Arduino IDE

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Soldering iron (generic)

Hot glue gun (generic)

Story

I have already made so many wifi-controlled robots at home using ESP8266. Now, I have decided to make the same wifi-controlled bot but with an upgraded version. So here I am going to make a self-balancing bot. I really hope this will be more interesting than before. so, let's make it together...

And yes of course l have tried to make it as simple as possible and assure that anyone can make it easy with this tutorial...

video tutorial

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN FROM THIS TUTORIAL

About Node MCU
how to upload code in esp8266
about l298n
what is a self-balancing robot
how to make PCB
why should we use PCBs in our project
how to control the bot via mobile phone

NODE MCU

NodeMCU is an open-source IoT platform. It includes firmware that runs on the ESP8266 Wi-Fi SoC from Espressif Systems, and hardware that is based on the ESP-12 module. The term "NodeMCU" by default refers to the firmware rather than the development kits. The firmware uses the Lua scripting language.

WHY NODE MCU/ESP8266 IS USED IN IOT PROJECTS?

ESP8266 has very low cost and high features which makes it an ideal module for the Internet Of Things (IoT). It can be used in any application that requires it to connect a device to the local network or the internet. NodeMCU Development Board/kit v1. 0 (Version2) NodeMCU is an Arduino-like device.

HOW TO UPLOAD THE CODE IN NODE MCU?

Please follow the steps below, If you are new and not well familiar with this ESP8266 module, or facing a problem while uploading the code

1.First Download the code from the link below. Now open Arduino and Go to File~New.

2.Now a new window will appear. Next, Delete all the existing code and Paste the given code.

3.In the code, you will find Additional Board Manager URL now copy the URL and do the next step. For Different OS you have a different option. MAC: Go to Arduino ~ Preferences Windows: Fille ~ Preferences

4.Now Paste it in the Additional Board Manager URL section and press Ok. Now go to Tools ~ Board ~ Boards Manager Search for ‘ESP8266‘ and install the latest version.

5.After the installation Then go to Tools ~ Board and then select the ESP-12E Module. So, The Board is selected Now.

6.Next, Select the Right COM Port.

7.Then compile the Programme First and then Upload it to NodeMCU. After a few seconds, the code will be compiled and then Uploaded to NodeMCU Car.

WHAT IS L298N AND WHY USE IT?

The L298N is an integrated monolithic circuit in a 15- lead Multiwatt and PowerSO20 packages. It is a high voltage, a high current dual full-bridge driver designed to accept standard TTL logic level sand drive inductive loads such as relays, solenoids, DC, and stepping motors.

The L298N is a dual H-Bridge motor driver which allows speed and direction control of two DC motors at the same time. The module can drive DC motors that have voltages between 5 and 35V, with a peak current up to 2A.

WHAT IS THE SELF-BALANCING ROBOT?

The two-wheeled self-balancing robot represents a robotic platform with two independently actuated wheels and a center of gravity above the axis of the rotation of the wheels. The behavior of the robot is similar to the classical mechanical system of an inverted pendulum.

What does PCB mean?

printed circuit board

A printed circuit board, PC board, or PCB, is a non-conductive material with conductive lines printed or etched. Electronic components are mounted on the board and the traces connect the components together to form a working circuit or assembly.

Why should we use PCBs in our project?

An effective PCB design can help in reducing the chances of errors and also the possibilities of short circuits. PCBs have a vital role in this modern-day as technology is improving daily. These circuit boards are the foundation of electronic products as they are used in almost every electronic device.

HOW TO MAKE PCB BOARDS EASILY?

Making PCB boards at home is possible but it's really very hard to make and takes a lot of time. But it is really very easy if you purchase them from any PCB manufacturing company. Usually, l design the circuit diagram and the Garber file () in EasyEDA ln my case, l always prefer to use service from JLCPCB to make my desired PCB board. they are very professional and also provide very fast delivery which helps me to complete my project in a short amount of time. one more thing I want to share, i.e; their price of PCB board making is really very less. They have also provided this coupon through which I have paid only a minimum amount of charge. In my next project, l am going to take their JLCPCB SMT service which will fulfill my money&time saving needs. I can make anything as they have more than 200k+ in-stock components. As an electronics engineer and a project maker, l almost always prefer to make my electronics projects using PCB and if you ask my personal choice, the JLCPCB is my best choice for making customized PCBs

if you sign up through this link:https://jlcpcb.com/IAT or make it an affiliate link if you sign up through JLCPCB, you can get $27 coupons after registering successfully.

HOW TO ASSEMBLE THE HARDWARE PARTS?

In this step, we have to make the robot chassis first. For this, I am going to use a small piece of PVC sheet to make the robot chassis. Then l have attached two 500rpm gear motors using a clamp and some hot glue. Then l have attached the wheels to the motor terminals and tightened the screws properly.

Then l have attached the 18650 li-ion battery holder with the robot chassis using double-sided tape.

next, l have attached some wires into the positive and negative terminal of motors and then connected the terminals with the l298n motor driver module.

Now I have made other connections by following the circuit diagram.

l have already provided the circuit diagram with this article for your reference.

HOW TO CONTROL THE ROBOT USING A SMARTPHONE?

This is the last & final step for this project. Once you have done making the robot successfully by following the steps, then you have to install a software named "NodeMCU_Car", which is easily available in play-store, on your android mobile phone.

Please follow the steps, once you have done the installation successfully-

turn on the wifi of your mobile phone
Search for the available network. Here, in this case, the name will be "Wifi Robot by Monalisa"
connect with the available network
now open the android app named "NodeMCU_Car"
now connect with the robot
thus it connected successfully. let's play with the bot.

Code

wifi code for esp8266

/*
Code Name: Arduino Wifi Control Car 
Code URI: https://circuitbest.com/category/arduino-projects/
Additional Board Manager URL: http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json 
Install: ESP8266 by ESP8266 Community
Author: M Tech-Ideas
Author URI: https://circuitbest.com/author/admin/
Description: This program is used to control a robot using a app
that communicates with Arduino through a ESP8266 Module.
App URI: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pvtWsTeXhcJdpHMfGlFmbGDuH7eoLfoP/view?usp=sharing
Version: 2.0
License: Remixing or Changing this Thing is allowed. Commercial use is not allowed.
*/


#define ENA   14          // Enable/speed motors Right        GPIO14(D5)
#define ENB   12          // Enable/speed motors Left         GPIO12(D6)
#define IN_1  15          // L298N in1 motors Rightx          GPIO15(D8)
#define IN_2  13          // L298N in2 motors Right           GPIO13(D7)
#define IN_3  2           // L298N in3 motors Left            GPIO2(D4)
#define IN_4  0           // L298N in4 motors Left            GPIO0(D3)

#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include <WiFiClient.h> 
#include <ESP8266WebServer.h>

String command;             //String to store app command state.
int speedCar = 800;         // 400 - 1023.
int speed_Coeff = 3;

const char* ssid = "Wifi Robot by Monalisa";
ESP8266WebServer server(80);

void setup() {
 
 pinMode(ENA, OUTPUT);
 pinMode(ENB, OUTPUT);  
 pinMode(IN_1, OUTPUT);
 pinMode(IN_2, OUTPUT);
 pinMode(IN_3, OUTPUT);
 pinMode(IN_4, OUTPUT); 
  
  Serial.begin(115200);
  
// Connecting WiFi

  WiFi.mode(WIFI_AP);
  WiFi.softAP(ssid);

  IPAddress myIP = WiFi.softAPIP();
  Serial.print("AP IP address: ");
  Serial.println(myIP);
 
 // Starting WEB-server 
     server.on ( "/", HTTP_handleRoot );
     server.onNotFound ( HTTP_handleRoot );
     server.begin();    
}

void goAhead(){ 

      digitalWrite(IN_1, LOW);
      digitalWrite(IN_2, HIGH);
      analogWrite(ENA, speedCar);

      digitalWrite(IN_3, LOW);
      digitalWrite(IN_4, HIGH);
      analogWrite(ENB, speedCar);
  }

void goBack(){ 

      digitalWrite(IN_1, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(IN_2, LOW);
      analogWrite(ENA, speedCar);

      digitalWrite(IN_3, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(IN_4, LOW);
      analogWrite(ENB, speedCar);
  }

void goRight(){ 

      digitalWrite(IN_1, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(IN_2, LOW);
      analogWrite(ENA, speedCar);

      digitalWrite(IN_3, LOW);
      digitalWrite(IN_4, HIGH);
      analogWrite(ENB, speedCar);
  }

void goLeft(){

      digitalWrite(IN_1, LOW);
      digitalWrite(IN_2, HIGH);
      analogWrite(ENA, speedCar);

      digitalWrite(IN_3, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(IN_4, LOW);
      analogWrite(ENB, speedCar);
  }

void goAheadRight(){
      
      digitalWrite(IN_1, LOW);
      digitalWrite(IN_2, HIGH);
      analogWrite(ENA, speedCar/speed_Coeff);
 
      digitalWrite(IN_3, LOW);
      digitalWrite(IN_4, HIGH);
      analogWrite(ENB, speedCar);
   }

void goAheadLeft(){
      
      digitalWrite(IN_1, LOW);
      digitalWrite(IN_2, HIGH);
      analogWrite(ENA, speedCar);

      digitalWrite(IN_3, LOW);
      digitalWrite(IN_4, HIGH);
      analogWrite(ENB, speedCar/speed_Coeff);
  }

void goBackRight(){ 

      digitalWrite(IN_1, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(IN_2, LOW);
      analogWrite(ENA, speedCar/speed_Coeff);

      digitalWrite(IN_3, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(IN_4, LOW);
      analogWrite(ENB, speedCar);
  }

void goBackLeft(){ 

      digitalWrite(IN_1, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(IN_2, LOW);
      analogWrite(ENA, speedCar);

      digitalWrite(IN_3, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(IN_4, LOW);
      analogWrite(ENB, speedCar/speed_Coeff);
  }

void stopRobot(){  

      digitalWrite(IN_1, LOW);
      digitalWrite(IN_2, LOW);
      analogWrite(ENA, speedCar);

      digitalWrite(IN_3, LOW);
      digitalWrite(IN_4, LOW);
      analogWrite(ENB, speedCar);
 }

void loop() {
    server.handleClient();
    
      command = server.arg("State");
      if (command == "F") goAhead();
      else if (command == "B") goBack();
      else if (command == "L") goLeft();
      else if (command == "R") goRight();
      else if (command == "I") goAheadRight();
      else if (command == "G") goAheadLeft();
      else if (command == "J") goBackRight();
      else if (command == "H") goBackLeft();
      else if (command == "0") speedCar = 400;
      else if (command == "1") speedCar = 470;
      else if (command == "2") speedCar = 540;
      else if (command == "3") speedCar = 610;
      else if (command == "4") speedCar = 680;
      else if (command == "5") speedCar = 750;
      else if (command == "6") speedCar = 820;
      else if (command == "7") speedCar = 890;
      else if (command == "8") speedCar = 960;
      else if (command == "9") speedCar = 1023;
      else if (command == "S") stopRobot();
}

void HTTP_handleRoot(void) {

if( server.hasArg("State") ){
       Serial.println(server.arg("State"));
  }
  server.send ( 200, "text/html", "" );
  delay(1);
}