ESP32 Cam

ESP32 Cam EZB

Hardware: ESP32 Cam ESP32 Cam

Author: DJ Sures

This firmware converts a ESP32 Cam into an EZB for ARC to connect to it.

This firmware transforms the ESP32 Cam module into a fully functional EZ-B with an integrated Synthiam ARC camera, providing a powerful all-in-one solution for robotics and IoT applications. The firmware allows the ESP32 Cam to simultaneously operate as a video streaming device and a controller for peripherals like servos and sensors, making it an ideal choice for compact, feature-rich projects.

Key Features:

  1. EZ-B Compatibility: The firmware enables the ESP32 Cam to emulate an EZ-B, making it compatible with Synthiam ARC for controlling robotics systems and IoT devices.
  2. Integrated Camera: The ESP32 Cam’s built-in camera streams video directly to Synthiam ARC, offering real-time visual feedback alongside EZ-B functionality.
  3. Dual Functionality: Supports servo control and camera streaming simultaneously, making it versatile for applications requiring both visual monitoring and peripheral actuation.

Recommended GPIO Pins for Servos:

To ensure smooth operation of both the camera and peripheral controls, the following pins are recommended for use in servo control while the camera is active:

  • D2
  • D12
  • D13
  • D14
  • D15

These pins are optimized to avoid conflicts with the camera's operation and other internal processes, ensuring reliable performance in EZ-B mode.

How It Works:

  1. EZ-B Functionality: The ESP32 Cam handles peripheral controls, such as servo motors, sensors, and other devices, through Synthiam ARC commands.
  2. Video Streaming: The built-in camera streams video directly to Synthiam ARC, enabling real-time monitoring and control.
  3. Resource Allocation: The firmware ensures efficient management of the ESP32 Cam's resources, prioritizing critical functions like video streaming and servo control.

Benefits:

  1. Compact All-in-One Solution: Combines the functionality of an EZ-B and a camera into a single, compact device, saving space and reducing complexity in your projects.
  2. Cost-Effective: Offers a budget-friendly alternative to traditional EZ-B and camera setups while retaining full compatibility with Synthiam ARC.
  3. Versatile Applications: Suitable for robotics, home automation, surveillance, and other IoT projects requiring simultaneous video streaming and peripheral control.

Use Case Example:

This setup is perfect for robotic systems that require both camera feedback and precise control of servos or other peripherals. For instance:

  • A robotic arm with a camera for object recognition and manipulation.
  • A mobile robot with live video streaming and servo-driven navigation or gripper control.

By converting the ESP32 Cam into an EZ-B with an integrated camera, this firmware unlocks a versatile and efficient solution for advanced robotics and IoT applications.

Download Version 7 (12/18/2024)

  1. Install libraries into arduino ide: https://dl.espressif.com/dl/package_esp32_index.json

  2. Board manager install ESP32 by Espressif Systems

This project builds using...

  • Espressif Systems esp32 library version 3.0.7
  • ESP32Servo by Kevin Harrington version 3.0.6
Supported Capabilities
  • 12 Byte Unique Identifier
    Each controller has a unique identifier that can be referenced. This is to keep track in EZ-Builder projects which controller is being used and user logic specific to the ID.
  • ADC with 12 bit Resolution
    The ADC captures analog voltage at 8 bit resolution. This means the native value will be an 8 bit (0-4095) from the controller.
  • Can stream video v4 codec
    The controller supports the streaming Video v4 codec on a TCP or UART or USB connection.
  • Hardware UART TX/RX with DMA buffer and adjustable baud rate
    Contains 1 or more hardware UARTs with TX/RX functionality and DMA RX buffering.
  • Native WiFi Connectivity from ARC
    Controller supports WiFi connectivity using TCP between your computer with ARC.
  • PWM Duty on digital ports
    Digital ports can output a PWM between 0% and 100%.
  • PWM servos on digital ports
    The controller supports PWM Servos on digital ports. These are also called Hobby servos.
  • PWM servos on digital ports can release their position
    PWM servo driver on digital ports support the feature to release their holding position.
  • Read/Write Digital I/O Ports
    The ports marked as being digital will respond to Read and Write commands of boolean logic. The status of the digital port will be either TRUE or FALSE when voltage is detected or not, respectively.
  • Transmit Uart TX on all digital ports
    All digital ports support the ability to transmit (TX) serial/uart data at various pre-determined baud rates.
Download Version 6 (2/14/2021)

Version Information

  • Added editable definitions at the top of the ino source file for enabling/disabling features
Click to show supported capabilities
Supported Capabilities
  • 12 Byte Unique Identifier
    Each controller has a unique identifier that can be referenced. This is to keep track in EZ-Builder projects which controller is being used and user logic specific to the ID.
  • ADC with 12 bit Resolution
    The ADC captures analog voltage at 8 bit resolution. This means the native value will be an 8 bit (0-4095) from the controller.
  • Can stream video v4 codec
    The controller supports the streaming Video v4 codec on a TCP or UART or USB connection.
  • Hardware UART TX/RX with DMA buffer and adjustable baud rate
    Contains 1 or more hardware UARTs with TX/RX functionality and DMA RX buffering.
  • Native WiFi Connectivity from ARC
    Controller supports WiFi connectivity using TCP between your computer with ARC.
  • PWM Duty on digital ports
    Digital ports can output a PWM between 0% and 100%.
  • PWM servos on digital ports
    The controller supports PWM Servos on digital ports. These are also called Hobby servos.
  • PWM servos on digital ports can release their position
    PWM servo driver on digital ports support the feature to release their holding position.
  • Read/Write Digital I/O Ports
    The ports marked as being digital will respond to Read and Write commands of boolean logic. The status of the digital port will be either TRUE or FALSE when voltage is detected or not, respectively.
  • Transmit Uart TX on all digital ports
    All digital ports support the ability to transmit (TX) serial/uart data at various pre-determined baud rates.
Download Version 5 (2/14/2021)

Version Information

  • Increase the auto compression adjustment jump from 1 to 5 so it responds quicker.
Click to show supported capabilities
Supported Capabilities
  • 12 Byte Unique Identifier
    Each controller has a unique identifier that can be referenced. This is to keep track in EZ-Builder projects which controller is being used and user logic specific to the ID.
  • ADC with 12 bit Resolution
    The ADC captures analog voltage at 8 bit resolution. This means the native value will be an 8 bit (0-4095) from the controller.
  • Can stream video v4 codec
    The controller supports the streaming Video v4 codec on a TCP or UART or USB connection.
  • Hardware UART TX/RX with DMA buffer and adjustable baud rate
    Contains 1 or more hardware UARTs with TX/RX functionality and DMA RX buffering.
  • Native WiFi Connectivity from ARC
    Controller supports WiFi connectivity using TCP between your computer with ARC.
  • PWM Duty on digital ports
    Digital ports can output a PWM between 0% and 100%.
  • PWM servos on digital ports
    The controller supports PWM Servos on digital ports. These are also called Hobby servos.
  • PWM servos on digital ports can release their position
    PWM servo driver on digital ports support the feature to release their holding position.
  • Read/Write Digital I/O Ports
    The ports marked as being digital will respond to Read and Write commands of boolean logic. The status of the digital port will be either TRUE or FALSE when voltage is detected or not, respectively.
  • Transmit Uart TX on all digital ports
    All digital ports support the ability to transmit (TX) serial/uart data at various pre-determined baud rates.
Download Version 4 (2/13/2021)

Version Information

  • Works with servo & Camera at the same time
  • Added a note that the default IP address in AP Mode is (192.168.50.1)
Click to show supported capabilities
Supported Capabilities
  • 12 Byte Unique Identifier
    Each controller has a unique identifier that can be referenced. This is to keep track in EZ-Builder projects which controller is being used and user logic specific to the ID.
  • ADC with 12 bit Resolution
    The ADC captures analog voltage at 8 bit resolution. This means the native value will be an 8 bit (0-4095) from the controller.
  • Can stream video v4 codec
    The controller supports the streaming Video v4 codec on a TCP or UART or USB connection.
  • Hardware UART TX/RX with DMA buffer and adjustable baud rate
    Contains 1 or more hardware UARTs with TX/RX functionality and DMA RX buffering.
  • Native WiFi Connectivity from ARC
    Controller supports WiFi connectivity using TCP between your computer with ARC.
  • PWM Duty on digital ports
    Digital ports can output a PWM between 0% and 100%.
  • PWM servos on digital ports
    The controller supports PWM Servos on digital ports. These are also called Hobby servos.
  • PWM servos on digital ports can release their position
    PWM servo driver on digital ports support the feature to release their holding position.
  • Read/Write Digital I/O Ports
    The ports marked as being digital will respond to Read and Write commands of boolean logic. The status of the digital port will be either TRUE or FALSE when voltage is detected or not, respectively.
  • Transmit Uart TX on all digital ports
    All digital ports support the ability to transmit (TX) serial/uart data at various pre-determined baud rates.
Download Version 3 (2/13/2021)

Version Information

  • Works with servos & camera at the same time
Click to show supported capabilities
Supported Capabilities
  • 12 Byte Unique Identifier
    Each controller has a unique identifier that can be referenced. This is to keep track in EZ-Builder projects which controller is being used and user logic specific to the ID.
  • ADC with 12 bit Resolution
    The ADC captures analog voltage at 8 bit resolution. This means the native value will be an 8 bit (0-4095) from the controller.
  • Can stream video v4 codec
    The controller supports the streaming Video v4 codec on a TCP or UART or USB connection.
  • Hardware UART TX/RX with DMA buffer and adjustable baud rate
    Contains 1 or more hardware UARTs with TX/RX functionality and DMA RX buffering.
  • Native WiFi Connectivity from ARC
    Controller supports WiFi connectivity using TCP between your computer with ARC.
  • PWM Duty on digital ports
    Digital ports can output a PWM between 0% and 100%.
  • PWM servos on digital ports
    The controller supports PWM Servos on digital ports. These are also called Hobby servos.
  • PWM servos on digital ports can release their position
    PWM servo driver on digital ports support the feature to release their holding position.
  • Read/Write Digital I/O Ports
    The ports marked as being digital will respond to Read and Write commands of boolean logic. The status of the digital port will be either TRUE or FALSE when voltage is detected or not, respectively.
  • Transmit Uart TX on all digital ports
    All digital ports support the ability to transmit (TX) serial/uart data at various pre-determined baud rates.
Download Version 2 (2/13/2021)

Version Information

  • added dynamic camera compression

  • mapped Dx to GPIOx (i.e. ARC D4 = GPIO4, which is the FLASH LED)

Click to show supported capabilities
Supported Capabilities
  • 12 Byte Unique Identifier
    Each controller has a unique identifier that can be referenced. This is to keep track in EZ-Builder projects which controller is being used and user logic specific to the ID.
  • ADC with 12 bit Resolution
    The ADC captures analog voltage at 8 bit resolution. This means the native value will be an 8 bit (0-4095) from the controller.
  • Can stream video v4 codec
    The controller supports the streaming Video v4 codec on a TCP or UART or USB connection.
  • Hardware UART TX/RX with DMA buffer and adjustable baud rate
    Contains 1 or more hardware UARTs with TX/RX functionality and DMA RX buffering.
  • Native WiFi Connectivity from ARC
    Controller supports WiFi connectivity using TCP between your computer with ARC.
  • PWM Duty on digital ports
    Digital ports can output a PWM between 0% and 100%.
  • PWM servos on digital ports
    The controller supports PWM Servos on digital ports. These are also called Hobby servos.
  • PWM servos on digital ports can release their position
    PWM servo driver on digital ports support the feature to release their holding position.
  • Read/Write Digital I/O Ports
    The ports marked as being digital will respond to Read and Write commands of boolean logic. The status of the digital port will be either TRUE or FALSE when voltage is detected or not, respectively.
  • Transmit Uart TX on all digital ports
    All digital ports support the ability to transmit (TX) serial/uart data at various pre-determined baud rates.
Download Version 1 (2/7/2021)

Version Information

  • First check-in of the ESP32 Cam firmware

*Note: For servo use with EZ-Cam, only pins 2,4,12-19,21-23,25-27,32-33 are recommended.

Click to show supported capabilities
Supported Capabilities
  • 12 Byte Unique Identifier
    Each controller has a unique identifier that can be referenced. This is to keep track in EZ-Builder projects which controller is being used and user logic specific to the ID.
  • ADC with 12 bit Resolution
    The ADC captures analog voltage at 8 bit resolution. This means the native value will be an 8 bit (0-4095) from the controller.
  • Can stream video v4 codec
    The controller supports the streaming Video v4 codec on a TCP or UART or USB connection.
  • Hardware UART TX/RX with DMA buffer and adjustable baud rate
    Contains 1 or more hardware UARTs with TX/RX functionality and DMA RX buffering.
  • Native WiFi Connectivity from ARC
    Controller supports WiFi connectivity using TCP between your computer with ARC.
  • PWM Duty on digital ports
    Digital ports can output a PWM between 0% and 100%.
  • PWM servos on digital ports
    The controller supports PWM Servos on digital ports. These are also called Hobby servos.
  • PWM servos on digital ports can release their position
    PWM servo driver on digital ports support the feature to release their holding position.
  • Read/Write Digital I/O Ports
    The ports marked as being digital will respond to Read and Write commands of boolean logic. The status of the digital port will be either TRUE or FALSE when voltage is detected or not, respectively.
  • Transmit Uart TX on all digital ports
    All digital ports support the ability to transmit (TX) serial/uart data at various pre-determined baud rates.

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PRO
Synthiam
#9   — Edited

Try it and let me know if it works with the firmware i gave you. If t does let me know what changes you made and I'll publish them

Remember as I've been saying - the GPIOx corresponds to Dx in ARC

PS the SD card isn't being used so I can't see how that adding code for it would make a difference. There is no sd card driver in my code

PRO
Canada
#10  

Yeah I get nothing.   So if GPIO3 = D3 in ARC (We know that is free as it is RXD and not listed as used by camera) this should be fine.  I connect a servo and then configure in ARC  and ESP32 will crash when I use it. Separate power supply for servo and grounds tied together so shouldn't be a brownout problem. Tried all the free pins nothing even if I manually set pinMode to output on the pins in setup.

PRO
USA
#11  

Would like to see a video of the esp32 cam working with Arc

I did get the camera working with a FTDI adapter and Arduino code I found

works great

PRO
USA
#13   — Edited

Here is a short video of my ESP32 cam with the Arduino code (FTDI Adapter to upload code) - the code created a webserver, many adjustments, face detection an more...

Still am interested to see  the esp32 cam work with ARC

EzAng

PRO
Synthiam
#14   — Edited

@EZAng, nink has graciously already provided you a video of what you requested in his response.

User-inserted image

PRO
USA
#15  

Hi Nick, that was a shot video, no audio, but very nice,

can you give more of a breakdown, in detail of how you did this  with ARC?

thanks

EzAng

PRO
Canada
#16  

I downloaded firmware at top of page and flashed ESP.  You select EZB camera from camera type as you would select the normal EZB camera. It just works no configuration required.

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