My course has primarily focused on robotics projects using the EZ-B controller and a camera for real-time interfacing. With recent developments, I am planning to create an additional video that incorporates Synthiam's support for other types of controllers. Although I've successfully flashed an alternative controller, it lacked compatibility with camera integration and Wi-Fi capabilities. The absence of an onboard computer limits the use of a USB camera, posing a significant challenge.
This dependency on specific components like the EZ-B, IO Tiny, and cameras can be problematic. For my course project, Mecha Morphix, which involves controlling five servos, the Arduino Mega seems excessive. I am in search of a suitable controller, compatible with Synthiam ARC, that includes both Wi-Fi and camera support to effectively replace the EZ-B.
I noticed that the ESP32 with a camera is listed among the supported controllers for ARC. Has anyone experimented with using the ESP32 in conjunction with a camera for such applications? Any insights or experiences would be appreciated.
...yes I can probably use that but was unable to get the camera and servos to work at the same time and I ran out of time testing and so I had to move on. To be honest, I got excited about the Freenove EPS32 for upcoming future robots I've got lined up after the course launch. It seemed to be a good middle ground controller.
I've supported EZ robot in my all my youtube videos and even in this course (Mecha Morphix). EZ Robot has priced hardware to match their market, education. I've watched as prices have risen over the years. When you started Synthiam and made firmware available for other controllers, it opened up other options. The ESP32s are getting very powerful (compared to EZB) and cheaper options helps people of all budgets to afford to build robots. Developing the firmware for these boards makes since for the main reason you support them, for options, which didn't exist before the EZ Robot sell off.
One person noted in the comments section that he got the Freenove ESP32 S3 to work but reminded to uncomment camera model wrover kit (if looking for camera and controller combo ( https://synthiam.com/Support/Hardware/ESP32-Cam?commentPage=3 comment #22)
The more I think about it...it makes since to have the camera a separate ESP32 CAM ($6 for camera and $9 for ESP32 CAM $15 total) and the controller the Doit ESP32 Dev1 or the Freenove ESP32 S3 as the controller ($6). So $21 for a camera and controller is a good deal and a Tiny IO replacement) .It just means having to have two Wi Fis on your computer (again not a big deal). But I guess it means you can't have control and camera on any ipad or iphone for mobile vers at the same time?! One or the other. Not both?
This came in the mail today. I’ll take a look at it this afternoon for ya.Awesome! That looks like the same one I got!
I get 20-28 fps on that esp32 wrover with camera module with v9 of the esp32 cam ezb firmware. it was a huge rewrite but works good.
Moving servos doesn't affect the camera either. Works really good and fast
That’s amazing!!! Can’t wait to try it out!!! Thank you!
Nice just ordered one. This maybe a great alternative to Iotiny we been looking for. I wonder how many GPIO’s work with the camera.
@athena can we get some specs on this Freenove ESP32-WROVER and what features we can use with ARC. How many servos can we connect at once without interfering with camera? Does Bluetooth work (speaker) can we connect microphone to I2S. Would love to be able to do TTS And STT with this back to AI as well as image recognition.