At ThingPulse, we’re all about turning clever hacks into robust, real-world solutions. Over the years, we’ve explored how to squeeze more out of the ESP32 than it was ever really intended to do. One of those challenges? Using ESPNow and WiFi simultaneously on a single ESP32.
Sounds tricky? It used to be. But not anymore.
Continue reading ESPNow and WiFi at the Same Time – Yes, It’s Possible (and Practical)
When Spotify pulled the plug on their Car Thing, one maker didn’t just accept the loss—he built something better. Under the handle Electric-Diversions, this creator took our ESP32 Spotify Remote and transformed it into a feature-rich, portable controller using the Color Kit Grande. From cover art caching to multitasking cores, his build is both clever and polished. Naturally, we had to find out more…
Continue reading ESP32 Spotify Remote with the Color Kit Grande
In this blog series, I’ll take you through the journey of turning an idea into a finished product at ThingPulse. Along the way, I’ll share not just the successes but also the mistakes I’ve made—because both can provide valuable lessons for anyone embarking on similar projects.
The idea for this product is a DIY kit for building a WiFi-controlled drone. The inspiration came from a Hackaday article. The first step in product development, for me, is always evaluating whether I can handle the project using my current skills and resources.
The schematic for the drone in the Hackaday article seemed straightforward: an ESP32 module with UART, an LDO for regulating 3.3V for the ESP32, a LiPo charging circuit, and, most importantly, MOSFETs to control the motors using pulse-width modulation (PWM).
The MOSFETs play a critical role because the GPIO pins of the ESP32 cannot deliver the current required by the drone’s motors. The MOSFETs amplify the ESP32’s relatively weak control signals, enabling the motors to function correctly.
During my research, I discovered that my source of inspiration had itself borrowed the concept—from Espressif’s ESP-Drone. Espressif, in turn, seems to have drawn inspiration from the CrazyFlie drone by BitCraze.
This raised a key question: Are there already too many similar drones on the market? At this stage, I believed I could compete with the pricing of existing options. Whether this assumption holds true will only become evident later in the process.
One aspect of the ESP-Drone and CrazyFlie that I admire is their clever PCB layout: the drone’s legs are part of the same board. During assembly, these can be snapped off and soldered at right angles to the main PCB. I initially assumed that the motors could simply slot into the resulting openings and stay in place—a misconception that I would later need to correct.
I decided to make some changes to the ESP-Drone design. The ThingPulse drone will feature an ESP32-S3, which has more available GPIO pins. This could prove invaluable for adding sensors or a camera in the future. Additionally, I plan to use the same LiPo fuel gauge chip as in our ePulse Feather C6. These chips provide precise battery-level monitoring.
I borrowed circuit blocks for the LiPo charger, LDO, and USB data lines from other ThingPulse projects. The MOSFET design, however, was adapted from the ESP-Drone.
I used EasyEDA to design the circuit and PCB. I often rely on this web-based tool due to its excellent integration with JLCPCB, the manufacturer we use for ThingPulse boards. At JLCPCB, our PCBs are fabricated and assembled with the required components.
To incorporate the PCB shape of the ESP-Drone, I converted its Gerber file into a DXF vector graphic using an online tool. This format could then be imported into EasyEDA.
The next step was placing all the components on the PCB and connecting them. EasyEDA’s “Cross Probe and Place” tool proved invaluable for this task. By selecting components of the same assembly group in the schematic view, I could use the tool to automatically switch to the PCB view, where those components were highlighted. This allowed me to move the entire assembly group to its appropriate location efficiently.
Routing the traces—connecting the components on the PCB—requires patience but is also a rewarding process. It feels like solving a puzzle without overtaxing your brain. Rat-lines (guidelines that connect unconnected endpoints) help keep the end goal of each trace in sight.
Once all traces were routed, I used EasyEDA’s DRC (Design Rule Check) tool to ensure that all design rules were followed—for example, ensuring no vias were too close to a copper trace and no unintended connections existed between different traces.
After completing the design, I exported the Gerber file, the bill of materials (BOM), and the pick-and-place file. These were then uploaded to JLCPCB. I typically order five PCBs, as the minimum quantity is five. Of these, two to five can be assembled. Having extra prototypes is useful for correcting errors by hand later if needed. The cost difference between assembling two versus five boards is negligible.
With everything ordered, the next step is to wait—about 10 days—for the PCBs to arrive.
Stay tuned for the next part of this journey, where I’ll share insights from the assembly process, testing the prototypes, and refining the design!
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At ThingPulse, our mission is to create innovative products that bring people together, no matter where they are in Europe. We understand the unique challenges that remote teams face, especially when it comes to fostering strong connections and a collaborative spirit. Recently, we had the opportunity to support a dedicated team of software architects who work entirely remotely across various European countries. This team, which meets only once a year for their annual gathering, chose our Color Kit Grande for their latest team-building event. The experience provided valuable insights into how hands-on projects can strengthen remote collaborations.
When this European team decided to organize their annual meetup, they sought an activity that was engaging, educational, and capable of creating a tangible sense of achievement. After exploring several options, they selected the Color Kit Grande for several practical reasons:
After selecting the Color Kit Grande, the team reached out to us at ThingPulse to see if we could join their workshop. We were happy to assist by joining the initial phase of their event, where we had the opportunity to share some practical soldering tips essential for assembling the Color Kit Grande. Empowering the team with these skills helped boost their confidence and fostered a collaborative learning environment. Here are a few tips that proved invaluable:
The true value of the Color Kit Grande lies in its ability to unite a geographically dispersed team through the act of creation. As the team soldered and assembled their kits, conversations flowed naturally, and bonds were strengthened. The shared goal of building something tangible together helped bridge the physical gaps between them, turning individual efforts into a collective achievement.
One of the key features of the Color Kit Grande workshop is the support offered by our ThingPulse team. We are available to join your workshop sessions to assist in building the hardware, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all participants. Our experts provide an extra layer of guidance and expertise, making the assembly process more manageable and rewarding.
If you’re considering organizing a similar workshop for your remote European team, here are a few tips to ensure everything goes smoothly:
Our collaboration with this remote European team of software architects highlighted the effectiveness of hands-on, collaborative projects in strengthening team dynamics. The Color Kit Grande provided a platform for the team to collaborate, learn, and connect on a deeper level. By building a physical product together, they not only enhanced their technical skills but also fostered stronger interpersonal relationships.
If you’re looking to bring your geographically distributed team closer, the Color Kit Grande is an excellent choice. With early planning and the dedicated support of the ThingPulse team, you can create a memorable and impactful team-building experience that resonates long after the workshop ends.
Ready to bridge the distance with your team? Explore the Color Kit Grande and take the first step towards a more connected and cohesive team.
#TeamBuilding #RemoteWork #ColorKitGrande #ThingPulse #SoftwareArchitects #RemoteTeams #TeamCollaboration #TechWorkshops
Are you looking to create a centralized solution to connect to Bluetooth devices and collect their sensor data in Home Assistant? Alex, one of our customers, recently shared his experience using our ESPGateway and ESPHome to do just that. He set up the device as a Bluetooth proxy and successfully collected air quality data from multiple BLE sensors in his apartment. Let’s dive into how Alex achieved this and learn from his journey.
Alex began with the Bluetooth Proxy project provided by ESPHome. This ready-made solution allowed him to set up the ESPGateway as a Bluetooth proxy with networking via Wi-Fi. However, Alex wanted a more robust and reliable connection using Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi, especially for a centrally placed device in his apartment.
Here’s where things got interesting. Alex encountered some challenges while configuring Ethernet, particularly around understanding the correct pin mappings for the hardware. But instead of giving up, he found inspiration in the OpenMQTTGateway project, which natively supports the ThingPulse ESPGateway and provides helpful configuration examples.
To solve the Ethernet configuration issue, Alex turned to the OpenMQTTGateway repository. He found a specific environment configuration that included the necessary Ethernet setup for the ESPGateway.
Using this as a reference, Alex adapted the default ESPHome Bluetooth Proxy configuration to include Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi. Here’s the final ESPHome YAML configuration that worked for him:
esphome:
name: esp32-bluetooth-proxy-626540
friendly_name: Bluetooth Proxy 626540
min_version: 2024.6.0
name_add_mac_suffix: false
esp32:
board: esp32dev
framework:
type: esp-idf
ethernet:
type: LAN8720
mdc_pin: GPIO23
mdio_pin: GPIO18
clk_mode: GPIO16_OUT
phy_addr: 0
power_pin: GPIO5
api:
encryption:
key: <redacted>
logger:
ota:
- platform: esphome
id: ota_esphome
esp32_ble_tracker:
scan_parameters:
active: false
bluetooth_proxy:
active: true
button:
- platform: safe_mode
id: button_safe_mode
name: Safe Mode Boot
- platform: factory_reset
id: factory_reset_btn
name: Factory reset
With his ESPGateway configured as an Ethernet-based Bluetooth proxy, Alex was able to collect sensor data from all his BLE air quality monitors and make it available in Home Assistant. The setup worked flawlessly, and Alex was thrilled with the outcome, calling it a “great product, highly recommended!”
This example highlights the power of the ESPGateway combined with ESPHome’s flexibility. Whether you’re a home automation enthusiast or a professional looking for reliable Bluetooth data collection, the ability to adapt and integrate with other projects like OpenMQTTGateway can be a game-changer.
If you’re inspired by Alex’s journey, consider trying it yourself. Whether you opt for Ethernet or Wi-Fi, the ESPGateway is a robust solution for enhancing your smart home setup.
Let us know if you have any questions or need help configuring your device! We’d love to hear about your projects and how you’re using the ESPGateway in creative ways.
We’re always excited to see how the community leverages the capabilities of the Color Kit Grande, and today, we’re sharing something a little different—a fun and practical project: a simple calculator using an ESP32! Inspired by the versatility of the Color Kit Grande’s colorful display and ESP32 power, we’ve built a handy tool that you can easily replicate or expand on.
Continue reading Fun with the Color Kit Grande: Building a Simple Calculator with ESP32
The Color Kit Grande is more than just a simple starter kit for home automation. This kit, which includes an ESP32, a capacitive touch screen, and options for a LiPo battery and 3D-printed enclosure, provides an incredible foundation for building interactive and portable smart home interfaces. When paired with ESPHome and Home Assistant, the Color Kit Grande can control lights, shutters, and other devices, while also displaying real-time data such as temperature, right on its touchscreen.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how the Color Kit Grande integrates with ESPHome and Home Assistant and walk you through the YAML configuration that powers it.
Continue reading Using The Color Kit Grande With ESPHome and HomeAssistant
How can you add a button to a device without drilling a hole in its enclosure? This was the challenge I faced when designing the Pendrive S3, as I wanted to use an off-the-shelf USB enclosure. Drilling a hole was an option, but I aimed for the Pendrive S3 to resemble a regular USB stick without any conspicuous buttons altering its exterior.
Continue reading Overcoming Design Challenges: The Touch Button Solution for the Pendrive S3
Exciting news! The German Make magazine has spotlighted our ePulse Feather C6 development board in its latest issue. Join us as we explore this recognition and what it means for the maker community.
Continue reading ePulse Feather C6: Featured in Make Magazine
Since we launched the ESP32 Color Kit Grande Starter Kit in 2023 it has been a big success. Now we have taken the time to add illustrations to the step-by-step guide to make it even easier for you to assemble.
Continue reading ESP32 Color Kit Grande – New Illustrated Step-By-Step Guide