1
Configure Toolchain & Core Libraries
Install the ESP32 board package in Arduino IDE via Board Manager (esp32 by Espressif Systems). Select ESP32 Dev Module as your target board.
Robotics
ESP32 WiFi Car
Build a self-hosted WiFi-controlled robot car with ESP32 and L298N driver using an embedded web interface with joystick control.
Safety first, read before building.
Battery & Power Safety
This project uses a 3-cell Lithium-Ion battery pack (~11.1V–12.6V). Lithium batteries pose fire risks if short-circuited or over-discharged. Always use a protected battery holder or BMS. Ensure common ground between ESP32 and L298N. Never plug the ESP32 into a USB port while the main 12V battery switch is turned on.
What you will build and learn
Configure an ESP32 as an autonomous WiFi Access Point and Web Server
Interface an L298N H-Bridge motor driver with ESP32 using PWM speed control
Serve interactive HTML5/JavaScript web apps directly from microcontrollers
Implement persistent configuration storage using ESP32 Preferences library
Prerequisites
Basic breadboard/jumper wiring skills, Arduino IDE installed on computer, Fundamental understanding of DC gear motors and lithium battery handling
This robot car runs on an ESP32 DEV V1 and requires no smartphone application, router, or active internet connection. When powered on, the ESP32 creates its own dedicated WiFi Access Point (ESP32-CAR). Connecting your smartphone or computer to this network and navigating to 192.168.4.1 loads a modern responsive control panel served directly from the ESP32 flash memory.
Key Features
- Dual Control Modes: Touchscreen joystick or interactive D-pad (keyboard WASD/arrow keys supported).
- Real-time Telemetry: Monitor individual motor power output, system uptime, and WiFi latency.
- Software Motor Tuning: Fix inverted motor directions or swap left/right channels directly from the web settings interface without rewiring.
- Built-in Safety Failsafe: Automatic motor cutoff if connection drops for over 0.6 seconds.
- Persistent Calibration: Motor trims and speed limits are saved to non-volatile storage (NVS) using ESP32
Preferences.
Files included in this pack
code27 KB
circuit diagram63 KB
License: MIT
Buy everything at once
Adds all 6 parts to your Amazon.in cart. Check items before you pay.
Before you buy
Match the variant and connector in the note.
Use the component page for the pinout and datasheet.
Prices change daily, so check the final total on Amazon.
Parts list
6 parts. Tick them off as you buy.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buy links are affiliate links.
Qty 1
2WD Smart Robot Car Chassis Kit (Chassis + 2 TT Motors + Wheels + Caster)
Includes DC gear motors, wheels, and acrylic chassis
3-Cell (18650 x 3) Lithium-Ion Battery Holder
11.1V - 12.6V main power source
6 parts. Tick them off as you buy. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; buy links are affiliate links.
ESP32 DevKit
Qty 1Microcontroller with integrated WiFi and Web Server
L298N motor driver
Qty 1DC motor power driver with onboard 5V regulator
Also at Robu.in
2WD Smart Robot Car Chassis Kit (Chassis + 2 TT Motors + Wheels + Caster)
Qty 1Includes DC gear motors, wheels, and acrylic chassis
3-Cell (18650 x 3) Lithium-Ion Battery Holder
Qty 111.1V - 12.6V main power source
SPST Toggle/Rocker Switch
Qty 1Main battery power disconnect switch
Dupont Jumper Wires
Qty 1Low-voltage signal connections
Buy everything at once
Adds all 6 parts to your Amazon.in cart. Check items before you pay.
Add all to Amazon cartBefore you buy
Match the variant and connector in the note.
Use the component page for the pinout and datasheet.
Prices change daily, so check the final total on Amazon.
Wiring & circuit connections
Follow the exact circuit connections and pinouts for your board.
ESP32 Connections
ESP32| From Pin / Component | To Pin / Board | Connection Note |
|---|---|---|
| GPIO(D) 25 | L298N ENA | Left Motor PWM Speed Control |
| GPIO(D) 26 | L298N IN1 | Left Motor Direction 1 |
| GPIO(D) 27 | L298N IN2 | Left Motor Direction 2 |
| GPIO(D) 14 | L298N ENB | Right Motor PWM Speed Control |
| GPIO(D) 32 | L298N IN3 | Right Motor Direction 1 |
| GPIO(D) 33 | L298N IN4 | Right Motor Direction 2 |
| GND | L298N GND | Common Ground Connection |
| VIN | L298N 5V | Power ESP32 from L298N onboard regulator |
0 of 5 steps completed0%
2
Prepare L298N Motor Driver
Remove the jumper caps from the ENA and ENB pins on the L298N board. Connect Motor A outputs (OUT1/OUT2) and Motor B outputs (OUT3/OUT4) to your chassis motors.
3
Wire ESP32 Control Signals
Connect ESP32 GPIO pins 25, 26, 27 to L298N ENA, IN1, IN2, and GPIO pins 14, 32, 33 to ENB, IN3, IN4. Connect ESP32 GND to L298N GND.
4
Flash Firmware & Test Communication
Upload esp32_wifi_car.ino using Arduino IDE. Power up the board, connect your mobile phone to WiFi network ESP32-CAR (password 12345678), and open 192.168.4.1 in a browser.
5
Connect Power System & Calibrate
Connect the 3-cell battery pack positive terminal to L298N 12V and negative to GND. Wire L298N 5V output to ESP32 VIN pin. Elevate wheels off the ground and test controls in Web UI.
1 / 3
ESP32 WiFi Car
Beginner2-3 hours
Build a self-hosted WiFi-controlled robot car with ESP32 and L298N driver using an embedded web interface with joystick control.
Safety first, read before building.
Battery & Power Safety
This project uses a 3-cell Lithium-Ion battery pack (~11.1V–12.6V). Lithium batteries pose fire risks if short-circuited or over-discharged. Always use a protected battery holder or BMS. Ensure common ground between ESP32 and L298N. Never plug the ESP32 into a USB port while the main 12V battery switch is turned on.
What you will build and learn
Configure an ESP32 as an autonomous WiFi Access Point and Web Server
Interface an L298N H-Bridge motor driver with ESP32 using PWM speed control
Serve interactive HTML5/JavaScript web apps directly from microcontrollers
Implement persistent configuration storage using ESP32 Preferences library
Prerequisites
Basic breadboard/jumper wiring skills, Arduino IDE installed on computer, Fundamental understanding of DC gear motors and lithium battery handling
This robot car runs on an ESP32 DEV V1 and requires no smartphone application, router, or active internet connection. When powered on, the ESP32 creates its own dedicated WiFi Access Point (ESP32-CAR). Connecting your smartphone or computer to this network and navigating to 192.168.4.1 loads a modern responsive control panel served directly from the ESP32 flash memory.
Key Features
- Dual Control Modes: Touchscreen joystick or interactive D-pad (keyboard WASD/arrow keys supported).
- Real-time Telemetry: Monitor individual motor power output, system uptime, and WiFi latency.
- Software Motor Tuning: Fix inverted motor directions or swap left/right channels directly from the web settings interface without rewiring.
- Built-in Safety Failsafe: Automatic motor cutoff if connection drops for over 0.6 seconds.
- Persistent Calibration: Motor trims and speed limits are saved to non-volatile storage (NVS) using ESP32
Preferences.
Buy everything at once
Adds all 6 parts to your Amazon.in cart. Check items before you pay.
Before you buy
Match the variant and connector in the note.
Use the component page for the pinout and datasheet.
Prices change daily, so check the final total on Amazon.
Parts list
6 parts. Tick them off as you buy.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buy links are affiliate links.
Qty 1
2WD Smart Robot Car Chassis Kit (Chassis + 2 TT Motors + Wheels + Caster)
Includes DC gear motors, wheels, and acrylic chassis
3-Cell (18650 x 3) Lithium-Ion Battery Holder
11.1V - 12.6V main power source
6 parts. Tick them off as you buy. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases; buy links are affiliate links.
ESP32 DevKit
Qty 1Microcontroller with integrated WiFi and Web Server
L298N motor driver
Qty 1DC motor power driver with onboard 5V regulator
Also at Robu.in
2WD Smart Robot Car Chassis Kit (Chassis + 2 TT Motors + Wheels + Caster)
Qty 1Includes DC gear motors, wheels, and acrylic chassis
3-Cell (18650 x 3) Lithium-Ion Battery Holder
Qty 111.1V - 12.6V main power source
SPST Toggle/Rocker Switch
Qty 1Main battery power disconnect switch
Dupont Jumper Wires
Qty 1Low-voltage signal connections
Buy everything at once
Adds all 6 parts to your Amazon.in cart. Check items before you pay.
Add all to Amazon cartBefore you buy
Match the variant and connector in the note.
Use the component page for the pinout and datasheet.
Prices change daily, so check the final total on Amazon.
Wiring connections
ESP32
ESP32GPIO(D) 25→L298N ENA
Left Motor PWM Speed Control
GPIO(D) 26→L298N IN1
Left Motor Direction 1
GPIO(D) 27→L298N IN2
Left Motor Direction 2
GPIO(D) 14→L298N ENB
Right Motor PWM Speed Control
GPIO(D) 32→L298N IN3
Right Motor Direction 1
GPIO(D) 33→L298N IN4
Right Motor Direction 2
GND→L298N GND
Common Ground Connection
VIN→L298N 5V
Power ESP32 from L298N onboard regulator
0 of 5 steps completed0%
1
Configure Toolchain & Core Libraries
Install the ESP32 board package in Arduino IDE via Board Manager (esp32 by Espressif Systems). Select ESP32 Dev Module as your target board.
2
Prepare L298N Motor Driver
Remove the jumper caps from the ENA and ENB pins on the L298N board. Connect Motor A outputs (OUT1/OUT2) and Motor B outputs (OUT3/OUT4) to your chassis motors.
3
Wire ESP32 Control Signals
Connect ESP32 GPIO pins 25, 26, 27 to L298N ENA, IN1, IN2, and GPIO pins 14, 32, 33 to ENB, IN3, IN4. Connect ESP32 GND to L298N GND.
4
Flash Firmware & Test Communication
Upload esp32_wifi_car.ino using Arduino IDE. Power up the board, connect your mobile phone to WiFi network ESP32-CAR (password 12345678), and open 192.168.4.1 in a browser.
5
Connect Power System & Calibrate
Connect the 3-cell battery pack positive terminal to L298N 12V and negative to GND. Wire L298N 5V output to ESP32 VIN pin. Elevate wheels off the ground and test controls in Web UI.
