This project will share with you how to make an ESP8266 drone (this drone can climb walls) and how it works.
We all know what drones can do, which is to fly. If I tell you that this drone can climb walls or dive underwater like a submarine, you might think it’s a bit magical. The author claims that the drone introduced below can do just that!
There is a complete video demonstration at the end.
Playing with drones requires a flight controller, but if we don’t have much money to buy one, what can we do? We can make our own flight controller. Previously, the author made a very cheap flight controller using the ESP8266, link below:<span>https://www.diyprojectslab.com/esp8266-drone-controller</span>
Required Components
(Let’s first take a look at the main components of the drone)
-
ESP8266 -
MPU6050 Acc/Gyro Module -
Brushless Motor -
Propeller -
500 mAh lipo 3.7v -
Si2302 MOSFET (5x) -
Pencil
If you are an electronics enthusiast, you will find that you have all the components listed below -:)
Tools Used
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Soldering Iron
A drone consists of a frame, motors, propellers, electronic motors, flight controllers, and batteries.
Flight Controller
The flight controller (also known as FC) is the brain of the aircraft. It is a circuit board with a series of sensors that can detect the drone’s movement and the user’s commands. If you tell it to move forward, the flight controller will adjust the speed of the rear motor to move forward.
ESP8266 Module
To communicate with the drone, we need a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection, so we use the ESP8266 Wi-Fi module, which has built-in Wi-Fi that we can use for communication.
ESP8266 is open-source, interactive, programmable, low-cost, simple, smart, and the lowest-cost Wi-Fi hardware.
As for the flight range of the drone, tests have shown a range of about 70 meters, using a Samsung phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot and remote controller.
MPU6050
MPU6050 IMU, a low-cost device that contains a gyroscope and accelerometer.
We will use the MPU-6050 and ESP8266 module to make a drone.
Coreless Motor
Coreless motors are micro-motors used for quadcopters and drones, which are coreless, meaning there is no metal core in the rotor. Coreless motors can achieve high speeds under smaller loads. These motors are suitable for micro-drones, quadcopters, or mini projects.
Propeller
The purpose of the propeller is to generate thrust and torque to keep the drone flying.
Schematic Diagram of ESP8266 Drone Flight Controller
Schematic diagram of the receiver control module based on ESP12e (ESP8266).
Circuit Connections
Connect the circuit according to the schematic diagram above, paying attention to the connection details of each component.
Frame
The frame provides structure and rigidity; it is the mounting position for all components.
Here, a wooden pencil was chosen and shaped into a quadcopter.
If you have a 3D printer, you can print a better frame.
Assembling the Drone
This is the drone frame made with a pencil, please see the photo.
To connect the motors, we need to place the motors on the frame arms.
Installing All Motors
Two motors rotate clockwise, and two motors rotate counterclockwise (see diagram). If one motor does not rotate in the correct direction, just switch the polarity of the motor.
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Check the battery and voltage -
Check that all propellers are securely connected -
Check all motor mounts
After flying, remember to unplug the battery, and reconnect it before the flight.
Software Section
It is recommended to use Arduino IDE: If you want to edit (i.e., Wi-Fi network SSID and password – Android hotspot)
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Install Arduino IDE -
Install ESP8266 board -
Install <span>ESP8266WiFi.h</span>library
Copy the code and modify your Wi-Fi SSID and password in the code (the code can be downloaded at the end):
#include<Wire.h>
#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include <WiFiUdp.h>
The code is too long, so it won't be pasted here for easier reading, you can download it at the end
The above<span>Drone_Final.ino</span> file can be downloaded at the end.
Open Arduino IDE, copy the code from<span>Drone_Final.ino</span> and paste it into Arduino IDE.
Edit your network’s SSID and password by modifying the following two lines in the code.
WiFi.begin("Diyprojectslab", "romeooo"); //ssid or pass
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In Arduino IDE, go to “Tools” > “Board” > select “NODEMCU 1.0 (ESP – 12E Module)” -
Go to Tools, select Port -
Change the Wi-Fi name and password from the code above -
Now click the upload button to upload the above code -
If everything goes well, you will see the blue LED on the ESP8266 start flashing every second.
Android App Setup and ESP8266 Drone Testing
You just need to download the App file attached to this step to your Android phone. (Can be downloaded at the end)
This Android application was developed using Processing for Android App.
A wall-climbing project based on the NodeMCU flight controller and Android app control. Complete details and explanation video.
I believe you will love it.
Original link: https://www.diyprojectslab.com/make-esp8266-drone-wallclimb-drone/
Project author: projectslab
The translation was first published in: DF Maker Community
Open-source project, please be sure to indicate the project source and original author information when reprinting
Hardware Arsenal
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If you have any comments or corrections on the article translation, feel free toleave a message!
All materials involved in the project can be downloaded in the following ways:
1. You can click “Read the original” to download from the community forum!
2. You can reply in the WeChat public account“ESP8266 Drone” to get the download file!
(Note: For previous projects, if the link is invalid, you can also search for related project names on our community forummc.dfrobot.com.cn for free download)
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