Building a wifi-controlled gimbal or motor for external web camera

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I’m setting up a Lumix 70 (300g) as an outdoor weather-style camera, mounted on a tripod on our 2nd floor, with me controlling it from ground. I already use the Panasonic app for zoom (as the camera has wifi), but want to add remote pan and tilt control. Most pan/tilt heads use 2.4GHz RF remotes that require line of sight, so I’m exploring a DIY option using ESP32, servos, and either WiFi or Bluetooth for wireless control across floors — ideally using a physical joystick or button-based remote (not another phone app).

Any advice or tips welcome!

thanks

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Hi David,

Welcome back!

Sounds like a fun project!
ESP32 sounds very suitable, if you want a Peer-to-peer connection I would recommend ESP-NOW (there is support in standard micropython now).

You could set one up as a the joystick: Analog 2-axis Thumb Joystick with Select Button + Breakout Board | Buy in Australia | ADA512 | Adafruit | Core Electronics
With the ESP32’s analog inputs to control. (If you construct it and want finer control, I’d investegate deadbands and slew rates).

I’d go with a standard servo for sure: FS5109M - Standard Servo (10kg/cm) | Buy in Australia | CE09387 | Core Electronics as an example

As for the frame, if you dont have something in mind already - I’d check out goBILDA or getting something 3D printed, local Makerspaces are great for this!

Keen to see it come together!
Liam

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Thanks Liam

A couple of questions , noting I am very new to this stuff

  • won’t the servos also need some sort of controller to receive the instructions from the remote or is that built in?
  • Is much coding going to be needed ? I’m really hoping for none! But that may not be realistic

re the frame was thinking of something like these, do you have them? KITS - Pan & Tilt Kits - ServoCity® #closed-loop

Thanks again

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David you mention its for an outdoor weather-style camera, which sounds like the pan/tilt mounting I have been thinking about for my solar panel to follow the sun. I wonder if you also have similar constraints ?

  • Will it be a permanent outdoor mounting ? if so, the pan/tilt motors will have to be weatherproof, or enclosed in a weatherproof housing. At least it will be easier to mount your whole camera assembly into a weatherproof acrylic dome, than for my solar panel :wink:.
  • will it be operating all day or taking photos on a regular schedule (eg 1 photo per hour), or just operate as required ?
  • Will it require mains power, or need to be battery operated ? Both impose their own considerations.

Personally I have decided for now to just go with a fixed solar panel, and maybe revisit this as a separate project in future … but curious to hear your thoughts and experience.

BTW, 2.4GHz RF is used by wi-fi, zigbee, bluetooth, and is not strictly line-of-sight; though obstructions do affect the signal.

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hi,

to answer your qns:

re LOS, there are two concrete floors and a roof to get to the motor/head, so dont want to buy something and then find it wont connect from the ground floor. the benefit of wifi is i can have a netowrk access point adjacent to the camera.

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You can proceed with the following parts.

  • 2× DS3218 20kg-cm servos (tilt + pan)

  • 1× Pan/tilt metal bracket kit compatible with 40×20 mm servo horns

  • 1× ESP32 dev board (head)

  • 1× ESP32 dev board (remote)

  • 1× 6–7 V, 5 A buck (from 12 V adapter or battery) for servos

  • 1× 5 V buck (or ESP32’s USB) for the ESP32 head

  • 1× PS2 joystick

  • 3–4× momentary buttons

  • 1× 0.96" I²C OLED (SSD1306)

  • 1× 18650 cell + holder + TP4056 charger + 5 V boost for remote

  • Wiring, 1,000 µF cap, small IP65 enclosure, tripod 1/4"-20 plate, screws, Loctite

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David I don’t want to discourage you - it sounds like a great project - but I’ll suggest some of the things I found with my greenhouse project for you to consider before you get too far…

If you go with mains powered you will need to use an electrician to ensure it’s weatherproof and safe.

On the other hand if you opt for battery powered you will have to calculate how much power it will need, then determine battery size and solar panel to keep it topped up.

  • wi-fi takes a fair bit of power, which is why battery/solar projects try to sleep as long as possible to conserve power.
  • since you want the camera available all the time, it will have to stay awake to be ready for you … using power
  • It looks as though the servos you linked to only use power while they are moving :+1: From memory (it’s been quite a while) most servos use power to hold their position … so I suggest you confirm.

Based on my experience, it sounds like you would need a fairly big battery and solar panel if you decide to go that route.

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Hi Liam

after much scratching around i was thinking of the following:

  • 2 SER0063 servos, as the set up will be outside, under shelter but still exposed
  • your DFO5bb kit for mounting, i dont want to do any 3d printing etc
  • i have a spare firebeetle esp32 so will use that to control pan/tilt
  • will try and set up webserver thing so i can control from an IPAD rather than separate joystick

some questions: will i be able to power the board and servos from same source?

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Yes. The servos will run off a 5V supply and the firebeetle can be powered through the same 5V supply to the USB port. It will be important to ensure that the 5V supply can power the servos without any significant voltage drop when the servos are under load, to ensure a smooth supply for the firebeetle.

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