RC cars used to be pretty simple. They’d go forwards, backwards, and steer if you got a full-function toy. However, with modern technology, it’s pretty trivial to make them more advanced. [Stuck at Prototype] demonstrates that nicely with his little Micro Racer Cars.
Each little RC car has its own ESP32 running the show, hooked up with a motor controller running a small DC gear motor at each wheel. Power is from a lithium-polymer battery on board the car, which is charged via USB C. 3D-printed components form the chassis and body of the vehicle. [Stuck at Prototype] set the cars up so they could be controlled via a smartphone app, or via a custom RC controller of his own design. He liked the latter solution after he realized how hard apps were to maintain. He also gave the cars a little color sensor so they could detect color patches on the ground, so they could change their behavior in turn. This was to create gameplay like Mario Kart, where hitting a color patch might make the car go fast, go slow, or spin out.
The video goes into great detail about everything these tiny tabletop racers can do. The racer cars were initially intended to be a Kickstarter funded project, but it never quite reached its goal. Instead, [Stuck at Prototype] decided to release the designs online instead, putting the relevant files on Github.
We’ve seen some other neat RC projects before, too. Video after the break.
[Thanks to Hari Wiguna for the tip!]
The idea of using color sensors and magnetic “paper” is neat. The cars seem to drive very smoothly too.
Wouldn’t it have been simpler to convert the RGB-output of the color sensor to HSV/HSL-color space and check if that value is within boundaries? Aside from the learning experience, I don’t see the benefit of AI in this case.
You also made the effort of creating your own remote with BLE. You probably knew that Nintendo compatible controllers would have been an option too as there are already ESP32-libraries for them?
Hi! Yes, I could have chosen to convert the sensor output to a color space and then bracket it. It was a good excuse for me to learn more about neural networks and a fun way to do it :)
As for the remote, I did consider using the Nintendo Switch controller, but making a custom controller (for me) was even easier (and more fun). That said, anyone that remakes this project can easily edit the code to make it work with a Switch controller or any other! Its not locked in, so its a win win!
That gives me an idea!
Build a small set of such cars, giving them some level of autonomy, and some form of guidance, and have them race themselves around an arbitrary course!
One day… I really want to do this. I was thinking to use BLE beacons for indoor positioning, then the cars can also talk to one another, etc. I have 3 projects lined up at this point, it will make the list, but not this year :)
Wow, I hope this guy gets the credit he deserves. I’ve had a a similar idea in my head for a few years, but he’s done it 100x better.
Thanks!! If you ever complete yours I’d love to see it!
Thanks so much for the article! love it. I am humbled how well this has been received!
Very nice project!! Incredible work
honestly, seeing this now, I’d be sorely tempted to back a kickstarter for a PCB and parts kit.