ESP32 BY EXAMPLE

I've created this course to help you learn Arduino development using version 2 of the Arduino IDE and the ESP32 family of microprocessors that comes with WiFi and Bluetooth as built-in features.

We focus on the ESP32 as the basic, and sole microprocessor, used in the course. But we don't just pick one ESP32 type and identify at least 5 varieties that will work with most of the examples and mini-projects.

It is likely that an ESP32 development board that you may already own can be made to work with the course, though some customization may be needed because of pin-numbering differences.

We use the latest Arduino IDE (2.2.1 or newer) and various libraries for the ESP32 that are available through the IDE, so you can leverage any familiarity you may have with Arduino development.

However, we don't assume you have any significant experience with the Arduino IDE or the standard Arduino hardware that is often used in introductory courses teaching combined hardware and software development from a hobbyist or maker perspective. 

We do assume you want to learn to program real applications based on kit hardware and so are willing to read Arduino code that is simple at first, but evolves to more complex examples quickly.

You can use the kit and course to learn from the ground up -- all you need is a passion to learn and are willing to be guided by an examples-based approach: no fluff, just stuff.

Complete breadboard construction using the kit, or your off-the-shelf parts, is covered and then explored in a series of lessons and mini-projects.

Lessons are focused on LEDs as indicators, push-button switches as actuators, mini OLED display to show status and computed results, and a Multi-Processor Unit (MPU) with gyroscope and accelerometer for sensor-based operations.

We end Part 1 of the course with coverage of ESP32 WiFi and Bluetooth with a final mini-project that integrates with a video system gamepad like an Xbox or PS4 controller. The gamepad adds many more actuators to use in conjunction with the basic kit hardware.

We offer an all-inclusive, inexpensive hardware kit (although a kit is not required if you have parts to start with).

A bargain-priced kit with a less-capable ESP32 is available, as well as a moderately-priced kit using the well-respected Adafruit ESP32 Feather Huzzah and a LiPo battery so your projects can run without a power connection. This is especially useful if you follow the course progression and get to drone control using the completed kit.

For a small added expense you can use your kit parts with a PCB version where the main elements plug into headers on the PCB. Or if you have some soldering experience, a PCB version exists that has holes where all of your kit parts are inserted and soldered: no more loose wires!

There is much more that can be done with the kit hardware including drone control, home automation simulation, fall detection and more.