[t0mas88]

Cool! I've made an ESP32 powered RC tank on tracks, controlled with a PlayStation 4 controller over Bluetooth.

The basic software is very easy to start with, about 20 lines of C using a library for the Bluetooth controller. From there I've added features for easier control. Using two sticks for two tracks works at low speed, but the thing goes close to 20 km/h (I've used two drone motors for it) so then you need a different control method. I ended up with rpm limited direct track control using the "triggers" on the dual shock controller. And more intuitive left stick up/down for throttle, right stick left/right for steering for high speed operation. So now it drives like a normal RC car.

Video of the same 3d print model I used as a basis in action, you can see the speed best from 00:50 onwards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Mv_tDY89Zw

[eurekin]

Very impressive!

I've never looked into RC builds before - how are they controlled? Do you connect the PS4 controller directly to the esp?

[t0mas88]

Yes, the ESP32 has Bluetooth support and there is an open source library to read the inputs from a PS4 controller. So I just wrote a small program to connect to the controller and send the right commands to the motors.

I think "traditional" RC people use a separate receiver module that links to their remote instead of doing this in software.