# An ESP32 robot car built for school kids, no soldering

A stripped-down ESP32 robot car designed for school project days: two motors, a PS5 controller, an ultrasonic sensor and three driving modes, with nothing to solder.

- Category: Hardware (build)
- Made by: [Ingmar Stapel](https://www.hackster.io/ingmar-stapel) on Hackster
- Original: https://www.hackster.io/ingmar-stapel/esp32-robot-car-school-edition-easy-build-for-kids-325862
- On Afterware: https://afterware.xyz/p/an-esp32-robot-car-built-for-school-kids-no-soldering

## Can I build this?

- Difficulty: Beginner
- AI-buildability: 4/5 (The ESP32 firmware for PS5 controller pairing, motor driving and ultrasonic modes is all code AI can write, leaving only plug-together assembly and a 3D-printed chassis.)
- Time: A weekend
- Cost: $30–60
- Parts: ESP32, ultrasonic sensor, two DC motors
- Tools: 3D printer

Estimates based on the original write-up. How the AI-buildability score works: https://afterware.xyz/ai-buildability

## Build sheet

- Controller: PS5 controller
- Microcontroller: ESP32
- Sensor: Ultrasonic
- Assembly: No soldering

## Starter prompt

```
Based on "An ESP32 robot car built for school kids, no soldering" on Afterware: https://afterware.xyz/p/an-esp32-robot-car-built-for-school-kids-no-soldering

Write ESP32 Arduino firmware for a two-motor robot car driven by an H-bridge motor driver. Pair a PS5 controller over Bluetooth to drive forward, back and turn, and read an HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor to stop before obstacles. Add three selectable modes: manual drive, obstacle avoidance and a demo mode, switched with a button.
```

## Story

Built as a simplified robot car for school project days, this one drives on two motors and takes commands from a PS5 controller. An ultrasonic sensor handles obstacle detection, and the car switches between three modes.

The whole build is designed to skip the soldering iron entirely, so it fits a classroom schedule and kids can assemble it themselves. The controller pairing and mode switching give students something to tinker with once the car is running.

Tags: esp32, robot car, ps5 controller, ultrasonic sensor, education, no soldering

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