Ever wanted to time your robot (or other moving object) races with precision? In this video, we'll guide you through the process of building a DIY race car timing system using an ESP32 microcontroller and a few other basic components, including optional track LED lighting. This is a project ripe for adaptation to your own builds and uses.
What you'll learn:
- The step-by-step process of building and testing the system
- Moving from a breadboard test system to a fully modular plug-and-play system
- Proper installation and setup of sensors for best results
- Basic concepts around distance sensors and LED displays
- Just a bit of info about the firmware and the Arduino IDE
Again, while this project was specifically designed and built for timing robot cars built in a 6th grade computer science class, the concepts presented can be adapted to numerous other types of projects.
A companion written article has more details, including copies of all diagrams, parts list and additional info on using the system:
https://resinchemtech.blogspot.com/2024/11/robot-car-timer.htmlGithub Repo with Firmware and Wiki:
https://github.com/Resinchem/Robot-Car-TimerMore Classroom Robot Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/@mrnorcross7203Chapter Links:
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00:00 Intro
01:50 General concepts
03:02 Using distance vs. motion
05:53 Parts used
10:52 General wiring diagram
12:06 Breadboard bench test
15:44 Creating a soldered controller
18:34 Wiring connections
19:50 Final Testing
22:40 Code overview
24:37 Classroom Races
27:17 Acknowledgements and wrap-up
Parts List
==========
These are all the parts listed and used in the build shown. Some parts, as mentioned, are optional and others can be freely substitued. In some cases, substitution may require modification of the firmware source code.
Main Controller Board
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ESP32 Dev Board:
https://amzn.to/3YRVC9ZElectroCookie 1/2 Size Solderable Breadboard:
https://amzn.to/3YPnUmD2.54mm Pitch 15-Pin Headers (standard ESP32):
https://amzn.to/4f6m32z 2.54mm Pitch 19-pin Headers (narrow 38-pin ESP32):
https://amzn.to/3UvQ7MHLogic Level Shifter:
https://amzn.to/48AxUDh5V 10A* Power Supply:
https://amzn.to/3Alp93xTimer Display
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MAX7219 Dot Matrix Display:
https://amzn.to/3YvViNNNormally-Open Push Buttons:
https://amzn.to/3YRgGi13-Position Toggle Switch:
https://amzn.to/4hHqXVoStart/Finish Line Sensors
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VL53L0x ToF Sensors:
https://amzn.to/4f6ftZNLED Strip Lighting
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WS2812b 5V RGBIC LED strip(s):
https://amzn.to/3Yy46TbAluminum LED Channel w/Diffusers:
https://amzn.to/4ftJh2hDouble-sided 3M Tape:
https://amzn.to/3Uzg3acOther Components, Connectors and Wiring
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18-gauge Stranded Wire:
https://amzn.to/3UBpy8V20-gauge Stranded Wire:
https://amzn.to/3CctdDN20-gauge Solid Core Wire:
https://amzn.to/3Ay4jxJ22-gauge Stranded Wire:
https://amzn.to/4e8jlYY2.54mm JST Connector Kit:
https://amzn.to/48ON1cJ2mm JST Connector Kit:
https://amzn.to/3AeXwsX2.54mm Dupont Connector Kit:
https://amzn.to/3NRsI4n2.8 mm Female Spade Connectors:
https://amzn.to/48y9uuaVarious Wago Lever Nuts:
https://amzn.to/3CcaQ1EOptional Items (Cabling/Enclosures)
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1/4" Expandable Braided Sleeve:
https://amzn.to/48wx22KHeat Shrink Tubing:
https://amzn.to/3UACN9X3D Printed Enclosure Design Files (.stl):
https://github.com/Resinchem/Robot-Car-Timer/tree/main/stlM2 x 6mm Screws (4):
https://amzn.to/3NQwc7jAdditional parts used for Breadboard / Bench Test version:
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Prototyping Breadboard:
https://amzn.to/3ArVTImBreadboard Jumper Kit:
https://amzn.to/3UAE9l3 Dupont Jumpers:
https://amzn.to/3C9iKsRSome of these links may be Amazon affiliate links. Use of these links will not affect your pricing, but as an affiliate this channel may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.
It takes significant time, effort and occasionally substantial expense to create these videos. If you'd like to help support this channel and future content, or just say thanks, you can consider buying me a cup of coffee:
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