Sanket Garg’s OpenWheely is a 4WD robot car based on Espressif ESP32-S3-WROOM WiFi and Bluetooth LE module that is equipped with a 2-inch display, a 5MP camera, and various sensors.
The robot car can drive upside down, follow sound and light, stream live video, and operate in a swarm. It can be controlled from a Phone, a PC, or an infrared TV remote, but Sanket also designed an ESP32-S3 gamepad with a 2.0-inch display and two joysticks to control the car. We’re also told OpenWheely can be used by students, educators, developers, gamers, and robotic enthusiasts.
OpenWheely robot car specifications:
- Wireless Module – ESP32-S3-WROOM-1
- SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3
- CPU – Dual-core Tensilica LX7 up to 240 MHz with vector extension for AI/ML workloads
- RAM – 512KB SRAM
- Storage – TBD
- Wireless – WiFi 4 and Bluetooth LE 5
- Antenna – PCB antenna
- SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3
- Display – 2.0-inch LCD screen
- Camera – Optional 2MP camera module
- Audio
- Microphone
- Buzzer
- Motor control
- 4x all-terrain wheels with DC motors
- Driving modes – Normal and upside down (inverted drive)
- Sensors
- 4x IR sensors for edge detection, line following, and obstacle detection
- Light sensor
- 6-axis gyroscope and accelerometer
- Misc
- Reset, Boot, and 2x user buttons
- RGB LED
- Power Supply
- 5V via USB-C port
- Battery connector
- Dimensions – Board: 91.90 x 54.18 mm
The joystick controller is based on the same ESP32-S3-WROOM-1, and features a 2.0-inch display, two joysticks, two user buttons, Reset and Boot buttons, an RGB LED, a USB-C port for power and programming, and a battery connector.
The project looked potentially interesting so far, but unless I missed it, there’s no information about firmware and documentation on the Kickstarter page. It’s also unclear whether the project will be open-source or not. The video embedded at the end of the post shows the Openwheely car in action, so at least the project looks to be at an advanced stage. The ESP32-S3 4WD robot car will also have to compete against several other existing robots like SunFounder’s Zeus car and DIY ESP32 2WD robot cars, as well as more powerful, but still affordable, Raspberry Pi-based cars like the PiCar-X 2.0.
Sanket launched the OpenWheely on Kickstarter with a $2,000 funding target that’s already been surpassed. Rewards start at $149 for the “Super Early Bird” perk, including a 4WD robot car and the joystick, but no camera. If you need a full kit, a pledge of $199 is required. Shipping further adds $25, and deliveries are scheduled to start by October 2025 if everything goes according to plan.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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