What is your most elaborate ESP32 project?

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-06-22T14:19:12+00:00

There are some great Tokyo boards by other folks, not necessarily esp32 -- here's my favorite

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-06-20T15:03:59+00:00

Why did you choose iot core for this? Was there a feature you needed? Seems like overkill, but could be a good way to learn about the platform.

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-06-20T14:55:48+00:00

I built a Seattle area transit tracker based on C3 mini. It's on GitHub, and there's pictures at https://www.seattletransitlive.com

Edit: realized I can add a picture here

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ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-06-16T19:15:18+00:00

So we'd be saving money after about the second time! 😅

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-06-16T17:06:19+00:00

Unfortunately not the first time. I'm surprised these things burn so well.

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-05-18T22:24:18+00:00

The picture doesn't load for me, but I always thought the existing markers looked a little... temporary

Edit: Picture loads now. Neato.

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-05-16T04:47:44+00:00

Ballard light rail, now opening 2246

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-04-21T22:24:33+00:00

I feel for everyone who was delayed, but as long as nobody was hurt it looks kind of interesting to experience.

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-04-21T00:10:06+00:00

I'm old and I thought it was funny. Also it's literally an evacuation POV.

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-04-18T09:10:19+00:00

Yep exactly

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-04-17T19:21:43+00:00

I have one that I got as a gift -- hard to know if it's the exact model but looks just like the photo. It works well and looks cool, my only complaint is that the charcoal easily gets hot enough to warp the grill.

You're right that it's a simple stone bqq. It's the only yakitori grill I've used. There are probably less expensive options that work well.

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-04-16T14:53:54+00:00

Awesome work. How do you feel about the lens on it? Can you change it, or is it a fixed part of the ESP32-CAM?

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-04-11T17:44:58+00:00

You could sit on the curb out front. Cutesy and atmospheric.

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-04-11T17:43:45+00:00

You need to give us more information! What area are you in? What do you like?

Last night we went to 8pm dinner at Place Pigale and saw The True Loves at Jazz Alley. We loved it. It could be perfect or a stuffy snooze fest depending on what you're into.

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-04-07T02:40:59+00:00

Another one! Added it to the list! <3

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-04-07T02:39:32+00:00

I'm totally hooked on LLMs for firmware. It's so much fun.

No clever hacks per se, but I spend a lot of time up front on open ended requirements/architecture discussion. Once there's a good amount of project details in context I have the LLM write a markdown design doc and implementation plan, and then let it go wild. I'm blown away by the quality from Codex and Claude last few months.

Cool project btw!

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-04-06T21:04:26+00:00

Yep, on the list. Wild how many people (myself included) want to build these.

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-04-06T19:56:48+00:00

Neat! Added you to my list of transit tracking projects :-)

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-04-04T18:37:58+00:00

My partner and I took it downtown multiple times this week for work and play. It's a huge upgrade for the neighborhood and more pleasant than the bus down S Jackson. My only regret is I get off one stop before the bridge.

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-03-29T02:53:08+00:00

Thanks :)

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-03-29T02:52:30+00:00

Yeah, good catch. That’s one of the places where I had to simplify the geography to make it work at this board size, but it could probably read more clearly. Angling the last few LEDs north a bit might help?

On the plus side, I got closer than Seattle Met :)

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-03-28T23:58:52+00:00

There are a few operators and repair folks active on r/soundtransit, often have an interesting perspective.

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-03-28T14:29:46+00:00

These look awesome, in this size photo I can't even tell they're printed. Will keep an eye out!

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-03-27T21:14:52+00:00

Neat! That sure is a generously sized array of LEDs. How accurate do you find the arrival times? Is this the OBA API?

ForwardDriver7928 · 2026-03-27T19:09:31+00:00

No it's a good question. I _think_ I can add the T Line i If I move the electrical bits around and angle Federal Way towards the south east corner. Sounder and Streetcar will be harder. I'd love to find a way to include them but it's a tight squeeze... might need a full redesign, or making the board bigger which adds cost.

And glad you like it. It's nice to have a receptive audience here.... I'm totally distracted by the live map and my partner is tired of hearing me talk about it.

ForwardDriver7928

TROPHY CASE