Video summary

Surveillance Camera Car Using ESP32 CAM Module | ESP32 Surveillance Camera Car

Main summary

Key takeaways

Technology

Overview

This video is a step-by-step tutorial for building a surveillance camera car using an ESP32-CAM module combined with a L298 (L298N) motor driver, DC motors, and a basic car chassis.

What the project includes

  • ESP32 camera module mounted at the front of the car (using a PVC board).
  • L298 motor driver to control two motors (left/right).
  • Wheels and motor driver mounted to the chassis.
  • 3-cell lithium battery holder with a toggle switch for power.
  • Wiring from battery → L298 (12V input + ground), then L298 → motors and camera.

Assembly / hardware connections

  • Ensure the right motors’ terminals are connected together:
    • both negatives together
    • both positives together
  • Ensure the left motors’ terminals are connected together similarly.
  • Mount the L298 motor driver on the chassis.
  • Connect power to the L298:
    • Battery positive → L298 12V input
    • Battery negative → L298 ground
  • Mount the ESP32-CAM to the front using a PVC board.
  • Power the camera:
    • Camera VCC → motor driver 5V output
    • Camera GND → motor driver ground
  • The video mentions connecting camera pins to the motor driver “as per the table” (the exact table is not shown in the subtitles).
  • It also states to short Enable A and Enable B pins on the L298 before connecting the camera/control pins.

Software / coding steps (Arduino IDE)

  • Use the Arduino IDE and install the ESP32 board support.
  • Add the ESP32 board link in File → Preferences (the board link is referenced as being in the video description).
  • Copy the provided code from the description (the video includes an odd “unsubscribe/subscribe to unlock the code” step).
  • In the code:
    • Set Wi-Fi SSID (network name).
    • Password is set to “anything” (as shown in subtitles).
  • Select the correct board type, then upload the code to the ESP32-CAM.

Setup and using the camera interface

  • Turn on Wi-Fi on the phone.
  • Connect the phone to the ESP32-CAM’s Wi-Fi network using the password from the code.
  • Find the IP address shown on the connection (as described), then open it in a browser to view:
    • Camera live feed
    • 4 control buttons for movement
    • 2 sliders to control:
      • Car speed
      • Brightness of the light

Troubleshooting / control direction fix

Issue

  • Pressing Forward makes the car turn/drive left
  • Pressing Backward makes it go right
  • (Direction may be reversed)

Fix

  • Interchange the left motor terminals on the motor driver so the left motor direction matches the intended forward/backward behavior.

Main speakers / sources

  • The video creator/instructor (single unnamed speaker guiding the build and wiring, using the ESP32-CAM + L298 “surveillance car” tutorial).

Original video