ESP32 devices, from firmware to the enclosure
A connected device needs firmware, a board and a case that fit together. Design them side by side, so a change to one is planned with the others.
Reviewed by: Rahul Jaiswar, founder
What ESP32 is
ESP32 is a family of low-cost microcontroller chips and modules from Espressif; most ESP32 chips have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in, though some, such as the ESP32-P4, have neither and pair with a separate wireless chip. Firmware is usually C/C++ (with the Arduino framework or Espressif’s ESP-IDF), sometimes MicroPython.
How we use it
We build connected devices on ESP32, including a touchscreen device, and 3D-print their enclosures. Our founder designs the boards. We have also built kiosks, hardware and software together (hardware and IoT). We can build the dashboard for a device’s data as a web app (web apps).
When it fits
- Devices that report over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth: sensors, controllers, status displays.
- Products where cost per unit matters.
- A small touchscreen with a few inputs.
When it doesn’t
- Heavy work on the device, such as camera processing or a desktop-style interface beyond what an ESP32-S3 or P4 handles: use a single-board computer running Linux.
- No Wi-Fi where it is installed: a cellular module can be added, but it changes power, cost and board layout.
- Constant reporting on a small battery for years: radio use drains batteries; plan sleep cycles or a lower-power chip.
Parts in India: confirm that the exact module and display are stocked by Indian suppliers in your quantity, and name a second source before the board is designed around one part.
Certification: anything with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth needs wireless approval (WPC and ETA) before it is sold in India. We arrange the certification your device needs and plan it into the scope. What the testing finds, and how long it takes, is decided by the test lab and the regulator.
Design checks
- Boot pins. Some ESP32 pins affect how the chip starts, so the pin map accounts for them before the board is drawn.
- Enclosure depth. A case must fit header pins and connector housings, not just the boards. Print a small fit-test piece before the full enclosure.
- Field updates. Over-the-air updates need a fallback, so a failed update doesn’t leave a device that won’t start.
Related
Have a device idea on paper?
Describe what it should sense or show, where it will be installed and roughly how many units you need. Someone from our team replies within one business day.