Learn how to use the ESP32 Microcontroller and MicroPython programming in your future projects!
The project book, written by well-known Elektor author Dogan Ibrahim, holds many software- and hardware-based projects especially developed for the MakePython ESP32 Development Kit. The kit comes with several LEDs, sensors, and actuators. The kit will help you acquire the basic knowledge to create IoT projects.
The book’s fully evaluated projects feature all the supplied components. Each project includes a block diagram, a circuit diagram, a full program listing, and a complete program description.
Included in the kit
1x MakePython ESP32 development board with LCD
1x Ultrasonic ranging module
1x Temperature and humidity sensor
1x Buzzer module
1x DS18B20 module
1x Infrared module
1x Potentiometer
1x WS2812 module
1x Sound sensor
1x Vibration sensor
1x Photosensitive resistance module
1x Pulse sensor
1x Servo motor
1x USB cable
2x Button
2x Breadboard
45x Jumper wire
10x Resistor 330R
10x LED (Red)
10x LED (Green)
1x Project book (206 pages)
46 Projects in the Book
LED Projects
Blinking LED
Flashing SOS
Blinking LED – using a timer
Alternately flashing LEDs
Button control
Changing the LED flashing rate using pushbutton interrupts
Chasing-LEDs
Binary-counting LEDs
Christmas lights (random-flashing 8 LEDs)
Electronic dice
Lucky day of the week
Pulsewidth Modulation (PWM) Projects
Generate a 1000-Hz PWM waveform with 50% duty cycle
LED brightness control
Measuring the frequency and duty cycle of a PWM waveform
Melody maker
Simple electronic organ
Servo motor control
Servo motor DS18B20 thermometer
Analog To Digital Converter (ADC) Projects
Voltmeter
Plotting the analog input voltage
ESP32 internal temperature sensor
Ohmmeter
Photosensitive resistance module
Digital To Analog Converter (DAC) Projects
Generating fixed voltages
Generating a sawtooth-wave signal
Generating a triangular-wave signal
Arbitrary periodic waveform
Generating a sinewave signal
Generating accurate sinewave signal using timer interrupts
Using The OLED Display
Seconds counter
Event counter
DS18B20 OLED based digital thermometer
ON-OFF temperature controller
Measuring the temperature and humidity
Ultrasonic distance measurement
Height of a person (stadiometer)
Heart rate (pulse) measurement
Other Sensors Supplied with the Kit
Theft alarm
Sound-activated light
Infrared obstacle avoidance with buzzer
WS2812 RGB LED ring
Timestamping temperature and humidity readings
Network Programming
Wi-Fi scanner
Remote control from the Internet browser (using a smartphone or PC) – Web Server
Storing temperature and humidity data in the Cloud
Low-Power Operation
Using a timer to wake up the processor
This hardware kit is especially prepared for 'The Official ESP32 Book'. The kit contains all the components used in the projects in this book. With the help of this hardware kit it should be easy and fun to build the projects in the book.
Included
1x ESP32 DevKitC
8x LEDs (red)
1x LED (green)
2x Push-button
8x 330 ohm resistors
1x Buzzer
1x RGB LED
1x TMP36 temperature sensor chip
1x DHT11 temperature and humidity chip
1x MCP23017 (DIL 28 package)
1x LDR
1x BC108 (or any other PNP) transistor
1x 7 segment LED
1x Small Microphone Module
1x I²C LCD
1x SG90 servo
1x 4x4 Keypad
8x Female-Male jumpers
4x Male-Male jumpers
1x Small breadboard
Complete ESP32 microcontroller learning course featuring a custom-designed MCU expansion board, hands-on projects, and a comprehensive online guide – perfect for learning hardware, programming, and connectivity step by step.
A Practical Introduction to Embedded Systems with the ESP32
This course is designed for readers who are new to embedded systems and looking for a structured, example-driven way to get started. If you’ve explored general-purpose electronics or Arduino-based materials but found them too broad or lacking in practical guidance, this course offers a more focused alternative.
Using the "ESP32 by Example Kit" (EEK) – a compact and affordable set of components featuring LEDs, sensors, an OLED display, and a motion processor – you’ll work with a consistent hardware setup throughout the course. Once assembled, the EEK stays mostly unchanged, allowing you to concentrate on learning and experimentation without constant reconfiguration.
Topics include:
Understanding and programming the ESP32 microcontroller
Writing and deploying code with the Arduino IDE
Exploring cyber-physical systems, culminating in basic drone control
No prior experience with Arduino or embedded development is required. Each section features hands-on examples and mini-projects designed to reinforce key concepts and inspire deeper exploration. By the end of the course, you’ll be able not only to reproduce the book’s examples but also to build on them with your own ideas and applications.
Whether you're interested in embedded programming, interactive systems, or introductory drone control, this course provides a clear and practical path to getting started.
What you'll learn?
Embedded programming with the ESP32 using the Arduino IDE
Real-time sensor input and control via buttons, LEDs, and displays
Gesture-based interaction using the MPU6050 motion sensor
Bluetooth gamepad integration and drone control simulation
Wi-Fi and UDP networking, local web servers, and NTP
MQTT communication with cloud platforms like AWS and Arduino IoT
How to build and deploy full-featured IoT systems
Perfect for
Students and self-learners exploring embedded systems
Makers and IoT enthusiasts looking to improve their hardware skills
Educators and trainers seeking ready-to-teach material
Developers moving beyond Raspberry Pi or Arduino basics
Support when you need it
Access to instructors via Elektor Academy
Helpful community forums and essential documentation
What's inside the Box (Course)?
New 384-page book: "ESP32 by Example" (valued at €45)
Elektor ESP32 by Example Kit (EEK): Microcontroller Extension Board with 6 LEDs and 6 Buttons installed + OLED Display, MPU6050 3-axis Accelerometer and Gyroscope Module (valued at €40)
Adafruit HUZZAH32 – ESP32 Feather MCU Board (valued at €30)
ESP32 Cheap Yellow Display Board (valued at €25)
DHT11 Humidity & Temperature Sensor
Breadboard
Jumper wires
USB-C cable
Access to the full course on the Elektor Academy Pro Learning Platform
Instructional videos
Downloadable Arduino project files for every module
Learning Material (of this Box/Course)
▶ Click here to open
Module 1 – Getting Started with the ESP32 & EEK
Module 2 – Digital Output – LEDs and GPIO
Module 3 – Switches and Input Handling
Module 4 – EEK and PWM
Module 5 – OLED and Display Output
Module 6 – Motion Sensing with the MPU6050
Module 7 – Capstone Project (EEK in Action)
Module 8 – WiFi and Web Control with ESP32
Module 9 – Cloud Concepts using EEK
Module 10 – Hands-on: Arduino IoT Cloud and EEK
Module 11 – BlueTooth and EEK GamePad Integration
Module 12 – Why Drones?
Module 13 – Drone Simulator Concepts
Module 14 – Simple Drone Flight Control
Module 15 – Real-Time Drone Flight Control
Module 16 – Drone Control Mini-Projects
Module 17 – Middleware and Python Scripting
Module 18 – Python Applications for Drone Control
Module 19 – Capstone EEK Control Project and Presentation
About the Author
Dr. Jim Solderitsch is an educator, software architect, systems developer, and cybersecurity researcher with a focus on cyber-physical systems. He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor in Computing Sciences at Villanova University in Pennsylvania.
What is Elektor Academy Pro?
Elektor Academy Pro delivers specialized learning solutions designed for professionals, engineering teams, and technical experts in the electronics and embedded systems industry. It enables individuals and organizations to expand their practical knowledge, enhance their skills, and stay ahead of the curve through high-quality resources and hands-on training tools.
From real-world projects and expert-led courses to in-depth technical insights, Elektor empowers engineers to tackle today’s electronics and embedded systems challenges. Our educational offerings include Academy Books, Pro Boxes, Webinars, Conferences, and industry-focused B2B magazines – all created with professional development in mind.
Whether you're an engineer, R&D specialist, or technical decision-maker, Elektor Academy Pro bridges the gap between theory and practice, helping you master emerging technologies and drive innovation within your organization.
The FRDM-MCXN947 is a compact and versatile development board designed for rapid prototyping with MCX N94 and N54 microcontrollers. It features industry-standard headers for easy access to the MCU's I/Os, integrated open-standard serial interfaces, external flash memory, and an onboard MCU-Link debugger.
Specifications
Microcontroller
MCX-N947 Dual Arm Cortex-M33 cores @ 150 MHz each with optimized performance efficiency, up to 2 MB dual-bank flash with optional full ECC RAM, External flash
Accelerators: Neural Processing Unit, PowerQuad, Smart DMA, etc.
Memory Expansion
*DNP Micro SD card socket
Connectivity
Ethernet Phy and connector
HS USB-C connectors
SPI/I²C/UART connector (PMOD/mikroBUS, DNP)
WiFi connector (PMOD/mikroBUS, DNP)
CAN-FD transceiver
Debug
On-board MCU-Link debugger with CMSIS-DAP
JTAG/SWD connector
Sensor
P3T1755 I³C/I²C Temp Sensor, Touch Pad
Expansion Options
Arduino Header (with FRDM expansion rows)
FRDM Header
FlexIO/LCD Header
SmartDMA/Camera Header
Pmod *DNP
mikroBUS
User Interface
RGB user LED, plus Reset, ISP, Wakeup buttons
Included
1x FRDM-MCXN947 Development Board
1x USB-C Cable
1x Quick Start Guide
Downloads
Datasheet
Block diagram
This board allows the Raspberry Pi Pico (connected via pin header) to drive two motors simultaneously with full forward, reverse & stop control, making it ideal for Pico controlled buggy projects. Alternatively, the board can be used to power a stepper motor. The board features the DRV8833 motor driver IC, which has built-in short circuit, over current and thermal protection.
The board has 4 external connections to GPIO pins and a 3 V and GND supply from the Pico. This allows for additional IO options for your buggy builds that can be read or controlled by the Pico. In addition there is an on/off switch and power status LED, allowing you to see at a glance if the board is powered up and save your batteries when your project is not in use.
To use the motor driver board, the Pico should have a soldered pin header and be inserted firmly into the connector. The board produces a regulated supply that is fed into the 40-way connector to power the Pico, removing the need to power the Pico directly. The motor driver board is powered via either screw terminals or a servo style connector.
Kitronik has developed a micro-python module and sample code to support the use of the Motor Driver board with the Pico. This code is available in the GitHub repo.
Features
A compact yet feature-packed board designed to sit at the heart of your Raspberry Pi Pico robot buggy projects.
The board can drive 2 motors simultaneously with full forward, reverse, and stop control.
It features the DRV8833 motor driver IC, which has built-in short circuit, over current and thermal protection.
Additionally, the board features an on/off switch and power status LED.
Power the board via a terminal block style connector.
The 3V and GND pins are also broken out, allowing external devices to be powered.
Code it with MicroPython via an editor such as the Thonny editor.
Dimensions: 63 mm (L) x 35 mm (W) x 11.6 mm (H)
Download
Datasheet
The Elektor ESP32 Energy Meter is a device designed for real-time energy monitoring and smart home integration. Powered by the ESP32-S3 microcontroller, it offers robust performance with modular and scalable features.
The device uses a 220 V-to-12 V step-down transformer for voltage sampling, ensuring galvanic isolation and safety. Its compact PCB layout includes screw-type terminal blocks for secure connections, a Qwiic connector for additional sensors, and a programming header for direct ESP32-S3 configuration. The energy meter is compatible with single-phase and three-phase systems, making it adaptable for various applications.
The energy meter is simple to set up and integrates with Home Assistant, offering real-time monitoring, historical analytics, and automation capabilities. It provides accurate measurements of voltage, current, and power, making it a valuable tool for energy management in homes and businesses.
Features
Comprehensive Energy Monitoring: Get detailed insights into your energy usage for smarter management and cost savings.
Customizable Software: Tailor functionality to your needs by programming and integrating custom sensors.
Smart Home Ready: Compatible with ESPHome, Home Assistant, and MQTT for full Smart Home integration.
Safe & Flexible Design: Operates with a 220 V-to-12 V step-down transformer and features a pre-assembled SMD board.
Quick Start: Includes one Current Transformer (CT) sensor and access to free setup resources.
Specifications
Microcontroller
ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N8R2
Energy Metering IC
ATM90E32AS
Status Indicators
4x LEDs for power consumption indication2x Programmable LEDs for custom status notifications
User Input
2x Push buttons for user control
Display Output
I²C OLED display for real-time power consumption visualization
Input Voltage
110/220 V AC (via step-down transformer)
Input Power
12 V (via step-down transformer or DC input)
Clamp Current Sensor
YHDC SCT013-000 (100 A/50 mA) included
Smart Home Integration
ESPHome, Home Assistant, and MQTT for seamless connectivity
Connectivity
Header for programming, Qwiic for sensor expansion
Applications
Supports single-phase and three-phase energy monitoring systems
Dimensions
79.5 x 79.5 mm
Included
1x Partly assembled board (SMDs are pre-mounted)
2x Screw terminal block connectors (not mounted)
1x YHDC SCT013-000 current transformer
Required
Power transformer not included
Downloads
Datasheet (ESP32-S3-WROOM-1)
Datasheet (ATM90E32AS)
Datasheet (SCT013-000)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
From Prototype to Finished Product
What started as an innovative project to create a reliable and user-friendly energy meter using the ESP32-S3 microcontroller has evolved into a robust product. Initially developed as an open-source project, the ESP32 Energy Meter aimed to provide precise energy monitoring, smart home integration and more. Through meticulous hardware and firmware development, the energy meter now stands as a compact, versatile solution for energy management.
A Project-Based Introduction to Microcontrollers and Drone Control
A Practical Introduction to Embedded Systems with the ESP32
This book is intended for readers who are new to embedded systems and looking for a structured, example-driven way to begin. If you’ve explored general-purpose electronics or Arduino-based resources but found them too broad or lacking in practical application, this guide offers a more focused alternative.
Using the ESP32 by Example Kit (EEK)—a small, affordable collection of components including LEDs, sensors, an OLED display, and a motion processor—you’ll build and work with a consistent hardware setup throughout the book. Once assembled, the EEK remains largely unchanged, allowing you to concentrate on learning and experimentation without constant reconfiguration.
Topics include:
Understanding and programming the ESP32 microcontroller
Using the Arduino IDE to write and deploy code
Exploring cyber-physical systems, culminating in basic drone control
No prior experience with Arduino or embedded development is required. Each section includes hands-on examples and mini-projects designed to reinforce core concepts and encourage deeper exploration. By the end, you’ll be equipped not only to reproduce the book’s examples, but also to extend them toward your own ideas and applications.
Whether your interest is in learning embedded programming, building interactive systems, or exploring educational drone control, this book provides a clear and practical path to getting started.
Comprehensive Book-Hardware Bundle for the RP2040 Microcontroller with over 80 Projects
Unlock the potential of modern controller technology with the Raspberry Pi Pico in this bundle. Perfect for both beginners and experienced users, the easy-to-follow guide takes you from the basics of electronics to the complexities of digital signal processing. With the Raspberry Pi Pico, the dedicated hardware kit and MicroPython programming, you will learn the key principles of circuit design, data collection, and processing.
Get hands-on with over 80 projects like a stopwatch with an OLED display, a laser distance meter, and a servo-controlled fan. These projects are designed to help you apply what you've learned in real-world scenarios. The book also covers advanced topics like wireless RFID technology, object detection, and sensor integration for robotics.
Whether you're looking to build your skills in electronics or dive deeper into embedded systems, this bundle is the perfect resource to help you explore the full potential of the Raspberry Pi Pico.
Contents of the Bundle
1x Project Book (273 pages)
1x Raspberry Pi Pico H
1x Smart Car Kit
Electronic Parts
2x Solderless breadboard (400 holes)
1x Solderless breadboard (170 holes)
5x Colorful 5 mm LEDs (green, red, blue, yellow and white)
1x Laser transmitter
1x Passive buzzer
1x Micro USB cable (30 cm)
1x 65 Jumper wires
1x 20 cm male to female Dupont wire
1x Clear case
1x Magnet (diameter: 8 mm, thickness: 5 mm)
1x Rotary potentiometer
10x 2 KΩ resistors
2x M2.5x30 mm copper pillars
10x Phillips pan head screws
10x M2.5 nickel hex nuts
1x 2-inch dual-purpose screwdriver
Modules
1x RGB module
1x 9G servo
1x Dual-axis XY joystick module
1x RC522 RFID module
1x 4 Bits digital LED display module
1x Traffic light display module
1x Rotary Encoder module
1x 1602 LCD Display module (Blue)
1x Photoresistor module
1x DC motor with male Dupont wire
1x Fan blade
1x Raindrops module
1x OLED module
1x Membrane switch keyboard
1x Mini magnetic spring module
1x Infrared remote control
1x Infrared receiver module
1x DC stepper motor driver board
1x Button
Sensors
1x Vibration sensor
1x Soil moisture sensor
1x Sound sensor
1x Mini PIR motion sensor
1x Temperature & Humidity sensor
1x Flame sensor
2x Crash sensor
2x Tracking sensor
1x Ultrasonic sensor
Build your own AI microcontroller applications from scratch
The MAX78000FTHR from Maxim Integrated is a small development board based on the MAX78000 MCU. The main usage of this board is in artificial intelligence applications (AI) which generally require large amounts of processing power and memory. It marries an Arm Cortex-M4 processor with a floating-point unit (FPU), convolutional neural network (CNN) accelerator, and RISC-V core into a single device. It is designed for ultra-low power consumption, making it ideal for many portable AI-based applications.
This book is project-based and aims to teach the basic features of the MAX78000FTHR. It demonstrates how it can be used in various classical and AI-based projects. Each project is described in detail and complete program listings are provided. Readers should be able to use the projects as they are, or modify them to suit their applications. This book covers the following features of the MAX78000FTHR microcontroller development board:
Onboard LEDs and buttons
External LEDs and buttons
Using analog-to-digital converters
I²C projects
SPI projects
UART projects
External interrupts and timer interrupts
Using the onboard microphone
Using the onboard camera
Convolutional Neural Network
RTL-SDR is an affordable dongle that can be used as a computer-based radio scanner for receiving live radio signals between 500 kHz and 1.75 GHz in your area.
The RTL-SDR V4 offers several improvements over generic brands including use of the R828D tuner chip, triplexed input filter, notch filter, improved component tolerances, a 1 PPM temperature compensated oscillator (TCXO), SMA F connector, aluminium case with passive cooling, bias tee circuit, improved power supply, and a built in HF upconverter.
RTL-SDR V4 comes with the portable dipole antenna kit. It is great for beginners as it allows for terrestrial and satellite reception and easy to mount outdoors and designed for portable and temporary outside usage.
Features
Improved HF reception: V4 now uses a built-in upconverter instead of using a direct sampling circuit. This means no more Nyquist folding of signals around 14.4 MHz, improved sensitivity, and adjustable gain on HF. Like the V3, the lower tuning range remains at 500 kHz and very strong reception may still require front end attenuation/filtering.
Improved filtering: The V4 makes use of the R828D tuner chip, which has three inputs. The SMA input has been triplexed input into 3 bands: HF, VHF and UHF. This provides some isolation between the 3 bands, meaning out of band interference from strong broadcast stations is less likely to cause desensitization or imaging.
Improved filtering x2: In addition to the triplexing, the open drain pin on the R828D can be also used, which allows to add simple notch filters for common interference bands such as broadcast AM, broadcast FM and the DAB bands. These only attenuate by a few dB, but may still help.
Improved phase noise on strong signals: Due to an improved power supply design, phase noise from power supply noise has been significantly reduced.
Less heat: Another advantage of the improved power supply is low power consumption and less heat generation compared to the V3.
Included
1x RTL-SDR V4 dongle (R828D RTL2832U 1PPM TCXO SMA)
2x 23 cm to 1 m telescopic antenna
2x 5 cm to 13 cm telescopic antenna
1x Dipole antenna base with 60 cm RG174
1x 3 m RG174 extension cable
1x Flexible tripod mount
1x Suction cup mount
Downloads
Datasheet
User Guide
Quick Start Guide
SDR# User Guide
Dipole Antenna Guide
Over 40 Fully Tested ESP32 Projects Using Arduino IDE and the LVGL Graphics Library
This bundle includes the ESP32 Cheap Yellow Display (CYD) – a compact development board combining a standard ESP32 microcontroller with a 320x240 pixel TFT color display. The board also features multiple connectors for GPIO, serial communication (TX/RX), power, and ground. The built-in display is a major advantage, allowing users to create complex, graphics-based projects without the need for external LCDs or displays.
The accompanying book introduces the CYD board's hardware and on-board connectors in detail. It provides a range of beginner to intermediate-level projects developed using the popular Arduino IDE 2.0. Both basic graphics functions and the powerful LVGL graphics library are covered, with practical projects illustrating each approach.
All included projects have been fully tested and are ready to use. The book provides block diagrams, circuit schematics, complete code listings, and step-by-step explanations. With the LVGL library, readers can create modern, full-color graphical interfaces using widgets such as buttons, labels, sliders, calendars, keyboards, charts, tables, menus, animations, and more.
ESP32 Cheap Yellow Display Board
This development board (also known as "Cheap Yellow Display") is powered by the ESP-WROOM-32, a dual-core MCU with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. It operates at a main frequency of up to 240 MHz, with 520 KB SRAM, 448 KBROM, and a 4 MB Flash memory. The board features a 2.8-inch display with a resolution of 240x320 and resistive touch.
Furthermore, the board includes a backlight control circuit, touch control circuit, speaker drive circuit, photosensitive circuit, and RGB-LED control circuit. It also provides a TF card slot, serial interface, DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor interface, and additional IO ports.
The module supports development in Arduino IDE, ESP-IDE, MicroPython, and Mixly.
Applications
Image transmission for Smart Home device
Wireless monitoring
Smart agriculture
QR wireless recognition
Wireless positioning system signal
And other IoT applications
Specifications
Microcontroller
ESP-WROOM-32 (Dual-core MCU with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth)
Frequency
Up to 240 MHz (computing power is up to 600 DMIPS)
SRAM
520 KB
ROM
448 KB
Flash
4 MB
Operating voltage
5 V
Power consumption
approx. 115 mA
Display
2.8-inch color TFT screen (240 x 320)
Touch
Resistive Touch
Driver chip
ILI9341
Dimensions
50 x 86 mm
Weight
50 g
Downloads
GitHub
Contents of the Bundle
The ESP32 Cheap Yellow Display Book (normal price: €35)
ESP32 Cheap Yellow Display Board (normal price: €25)
1x ESP32 Dev Board with 2.8" Display and acrylic Shell
1x Touch pen
1x Connector cable
1x USB cable
Introducing the Elecrow ESP32 Terminal, a revolutionary handheld device engineered to elevate your projects to new heights. Boasting a 3.5″ 480 × 320 TFT capacitive...