Integration of IoT Platform Environment for Web Server and Global Connectivity Based on ESP32

This study aims to simplify IoT development by creating a comprehensive platform environment centered on the ESP32 microcontroller, known for its low cost, power efficiency, integrated Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth capabilities. The platform will address the complexities of traditional IoT development, such as multiple development stages and diverse peripheral requirements, by integrating key components into an easy-to-use library. The library developed includes a dashboard system, SPIFFS management, Wi-Fi setup, a web server, and support for the MQTT protocol. The created environment introduces a Docker Compose setup featuring Node-RED, an MQTT broker, and a database, alongside a web-flasher tool and example projects for developers. A Cloudflare tunnel ensures global accessibility, allowing local servers to be accessed from anywhere. A "Smart Home Application" was applied to demonstrate the platform's capabilities, with innovations such as precompiled binaries that simplify device deployment. This user-friendly IoT platform enhances scalability, security, and manageability, making it easier for developers to build efficient and innovative IoT solutions. Several users with basic embedded coding experience were asked to use the library to evaluate the platform's acceptance based on two popular survey approaches: the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTUAT). The survey results have shown that more than 80% of users accepted the platform, with an average mean score of 4.488 out of 5.0 on the components highlighted in TAM and UTAUT. Therefore, this integrated platform enables developers to simplify IoT development, making it more efficient and accessible, and allowing them to create innovative IoT solutions.