Project Hub /Robotics & Autonomous Systems/AGV & Industrial Rovers/Mecanum Wheel Robot with ESP-NOW Remote Control

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ESP32

₹5,000 – ₹15,000

6 – 12 Hours

Partial Kit

Mecanum Wheel Robot with ESP-NOW Remote Control

Learn how Mecanum wheels work and build a 4WD omnidirectional robot car controlled remotely using dual ESP32 microcontrollers and ESP-NOW protocol.

Originally published on DroneBot Workshop

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

ESP32 WiFi+Bluetooth CP2102 Development Board Rs. 520.00
110 RPM Single Shaft BO Motor – Straight Rs. 99.00
3–6V R140 DC Motor (High-Speed DIY & Toy Motor) Rs. 49.00
L298N Dual H-Bridge Motor Driver Module – 2A Rs. 195.00
Dual Axis XY Joystick Module Rs. 65.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: TFT / Touch LCD
LED Strip / NeoPixel / WS2812
AA / AAA Battery + Holder

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How It Works

This advanced robotics project implements an omnidirectional mobile platform utilizing dual ESP32 microcontrollers communicating via the low-latency ESP-NOW wireless protocol. The remote control unit features a joystick to capture directional inputs, a TFT display to provide real-time visual feedback, and NeoPixels for status indication. When the user manipulates the joystick, the local ESP32 packages these directional commands and transmits them wirelessly to the robot's onboard ESP32. Upon receiving the data, the rover's microcontroller interprets the commands and outputs precise pulse-width modulation (PWM) signals to two TB6612FNG dual motor drivers. These drivers regulate power from the battery pack to independently control the speed and rotational direction of four DC motors. Each motor drives a specialized Mecanum wheel, which incorporates angled rollers along its circumference. By coordinating the individual forward, reverse, or differential rotation of all four Mecanum wheels, the vector forces combine to allow the chassis to translate smoothly in any arbitrary direction—including sideways (crab walking) and diagonal movements—as well as rotate completely in place, without requiring a traditional steering mechanism.

Why Build This

Design and implement advanced kinematics for omnidirectional mobile robots and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs).

Master wireless telemetry and low-latency peer-to-peer device communication using the ESP-NOW protocol.

Integrate multiple subsystem modules including high-current motor drivers, graphical TFT displays, and addressable lighting.

Real-World Application

Omnidirectional mobility is widely used in automated guided vehicles (AGVs), warehouse logistics robots, and robotic wheelchairs that require maneuvering in tight spaces.

Skills You'll Learn

Wireless peer-to-peer networking

PWM motor speed control

H-bridge driver integration

omnidirectional robot kinematics

embedded display rendering

addressable LED data protocols

Safety Precautions

Ensure proper voltage matching for motor power supplies to prevent overheating the motor drivers or motors.

Technology Tags

ESP32

ESP-NOW

MECANUM WHEELS

TB6612FNG

NEOPIXEL

REMOTE CONTROL

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

ROBOTICS

PWM

TFT DISPLAY

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use ESP-NOW instead of standard Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?

ESP-NOW is a connection-less protocol developed by Espressif that allows direct, low-latency packet transmission between ESP32 modules without needing a router, making it ideal for real-time remote control robotics.

Can the robot move sideways without turning?

Yes. That is the primary advantage of Mecanum wheels; by spinning the front and rear wheels in opposing diagonal directions, the resultant vectors allow the robot to translate laterally or diagonally.

Do I need separate power supplies for the logic and the motors?

It is strongly recommended to use a dedicated battery pack for the motors and TB6612FNG drivers to prevent voltage drops that could cause the ESP32 microcontrollers to reset or behave erratically.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

PRJ-00704