This project provides the complete open-source design for a "Micro Racer Car," a small, programmable robot. It's targeted at hobbyists, makers, and researchers interested in robotics, embedded systems, and AI, offering a platform for custom control and autonomous navigation.

How It Works

The car is controlled by firmware running on an ESP32 microcontroller, utilizing ESP-IDF v5.3.1. Hardware designs are provided in KiCad format, including schematics and Gerber files for PCB fabrication. Mechanical components, such as the chassis and wheels, are supplied as STEP files, with a note that SLA printing is recommended for the wheels. The project also includes Python scripts for training neural networks for autonomous control and for operating the car via a keyboard.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Firmware: Requires ESP32 IDF version 5.3.1 and targeting ESP32-H2.
• Scripts: Requires Python 3 and specific pip modules. To train the neural network, run python trainer.py with data in color_data.txt. For keyboard control, run python controller.py (use W, S, A, D).
• Hardware: Requires an SLA printer for wheels.

Highlighted Details

• Full hardware schematics and PCB Gerber files provided.
• Mechanical designs include STEP files for chassis and wheels.
• Python scripts for neural network training and keyboard control.
• Motor control protocol detailed for custom firmware development.

Maintenance & Community

The project acknowledges Michael Angerer's esp32_ble_ota project as a dependency for BLE functionality. Further community engagement or roadmap details are not specified.

Licensing & Compatibility

Licensed under Apache 2.0, allowing for broad use and modification, including commercial applications.

Limitations & Caveats

The project suggests potential improvements like a color sensor-based driving mode and LLM integration. Wheel printing requires an SLA printer, which may be a barrier for some users.