Duration: June 2025
RadarLite is a radar-like environmental scanning system that uses an ESP32-C6 Mini, a continuous rotation servo, and an ultrasonic sensor to detect objects in a 360° field. The sensor captures distance data as it rotates forward and backward, and transmits this data via serial communication to a Processing app, which visualizes the scanned environment in real time.
Compact, responsive, and ideal for real-time visualization of physical spaces in robotics and embedded systems research.
- 📏 360° Object Detection using ultrasonic sensing
- 🔁 Bidirectional Scanning with time-based servo angle approximation
- 🔌 Serial Communication between ESP32 and PC (USB)
- 📈 Real-Time Visualization via the Processing IDE
- 🧰 Code Uploaded using Arduino CLI on lightweight Linux OS (antiX)
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| ESP32-C6 Mini | Wi-Fi enabled microcontroller (ESP chip) |
| HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor | Measures distance to nearby objects |
| Continuous Servo Motor | Rotates sensor continuously in both directions |
| Processing | Visualizes sensor data as radar scans |
| Arduino CLI | Command-line firmware flashing |
| Linux (antiX) | Lightweight Debian-based development OS |
- Rotation Logic: Servo motor rotates the ultrasonic sensor across ~360°.
- Sensing: At time-based angular steps, HC-SR04 records distance values.
- Data Stream: (angle, distance) data pairs are sent via USB serial.
- Visualization: Processing app receives serial data and plots a radar sweep in real time.
- Obstacle Mapping in Robotics
- DIY Radar Simulation Projects
- Embedded Systems Visualization Demos
- Linux-based IoT Prototyping
- Educational Tools for Sensor Integration
- ✅ ESP32-C6 Mini
- ✅ HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor
- ✅ Continuous Rotation Servo Motor (e.g., FS90R or SG90 modified)
- ✅ Breadboard, Jumper Wires, and Power Source
- ✅ USB Cable (for serial connection)
- Arduino CLI
- Processing IDE
- Compatible Linux OS (Tested on antiX – Debian lightweight)
Experience RadarLite in action with real-time rotation, scanning, and data visualization:
