ESP32Exten: Designing and Developing an ESP32 Microcontroller Expansion for IoT Applications with Motor Propulsion and AI Image Processing

The Internet of Things (IoT) involves connecting devices to facilitate data sharing for collaborative work. This transformative technology holds high potential across various sectors. A key element in IoT systems is the microcontroller board, which must interface with sensors suited to specific tasks. The ESP32 is a popular choice for IoT applications due to its compact size, affordability, and excellent Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, all while consuming minimal power. However, the ESP32's limitation of supplying only 3.3V necessitates the use of expansion boards, particularly when dealing with high-power sensors or those requiring intensive processing. To address these limitations, we developed the ESP32Exten expansion module to enhance the performance of the motor propulsion and AI processing capabilities for image processing. A library was created for ESP32Exten to improve its functionality. Performance tests were conducted to compare ESP32Exten with standard expansion boards across three key areas: 1. Motor performance, 2. AI image processing and data transmission via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and 3. Input-output sensor connectivity. The results demonstrated that ESP32Exten significantly improved DC motor control, image processing, rapid data transmission, and reduced voltage drop, effectively addressing the operational limitations of the ESP32.