Project Hub /Robotics & Autonomous Systems/Motor Drivers & Motion Control/TongDou

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ESP32

₹5,000 – ₹15,000

6 – 12 Hours

Partial Kit

TongDou

TongDou is a tiny open-source desktop gremlin built around an ESP32-S3, brass frame, custom PCB, OLED eyes, audio, motors, sensors, and an AI personality layer.

Originally published on Hackaday.io

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-C3 Development Board with Berg Pins - Unsoldered Rs. 390.00
0.96 Inch I2C/IIC 4pin OLED Display Module White Rs. 349.00
RCWL-0516 Microwave Radar Sensor Rs. 59.00
MPU6050 - Triple Axis Accelerometer + Gyroscope Module Rs. 438.00
3–6V R140 DC Motor (High-Speed DIY & Toy Motor) Rs. 49.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
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: Battery (generic / unspecified)
Speaker / Audio Amplifier
LED Strip / NeoPixel / WS2812
Brass sheets
1 mm brass rods
power management components

Browse all components

How It Works

The TongDou project operates as an autonomous, interactive desktop robotic system orchestrated by a custom PCB centered around an ESP32-S3 microcontroller. Power management components regulate the onboard battery supply to safely drive the entire electronics stack. Motion control is handled by geared DC motors mounted within a sturdy mechanical frame constructed from brass sheets and 1 mm brass rods, allowing the unit to navigate its physical environment. Spatial awareness and motion tracking are achieved through a combination of the 24 GHz LD2412 presence radar module, which detects human or object proximity, and the QMI8658A inertial measurement unit (IMU), which measures acceleration and orientation angles. Visual feedback and expressive states are rendered on an integrated OLED display acting as 'eyes,' supplemented by addressable RGB LEDs for dynamic lighting effects. An onboard speaker provides auditory output, allowing the system to communicate or play sound effects in response to sensor inputs or its embedded AI personality layer. Firmware flashed via PlatformIO or Espressif esptool coordinates these peripherals, processing sensor data in real-time to drive the motors, update the display, and trigger audio-visual responses.

Why Build This

Develop advanced competencies in embedded systems integration by interfacing multi-axis IMUs, high-frequency radar sensors, and custom display drivers with an ESP32-S3.

Gain practical mechanical assembly experience by combining precision laser-cut brass sheets and miniature rods with custom printed circuit boards.

Explore autonomous behavior programming, sensor fusion, and human-robot interaction design for desktop robotics platforms.

Real-World Application

Interactive desktop assistant, educational robotics platform, and open-source hardware prototyping.

Skills You'll Learn

Microcontroller firmware flashing

Sensor fusion

Motor driver integration

I2C and SPI peripheral communication

Addressable LED protocol control

Power management circuit handling

PWM motor speed control

Safety Precautions

Engineering firmware commands can move motors, change radar parameters, or intentionally discharge the battery; read documentation before experimenting.

Technology Tags

ESP32-S3

OLED DISPLAY

24 GHZ RADAR

IMU

MOTORS

AUDIO

BRASS FRAME

CUSTOM PCB

FIRMWARE

AI PERSONALITY LAYER

Frequently Asked Questions

What tools are needed to assemble the brass frame and custom PCB?

You will typically need a soldering iron, precision screwdrivers, flush cutters, and potentially small pliers or specialized bending tools for the 1 mm brass rods and sheet metal.

Can I program this project using the standard Arduino IDE instead of PlatformIO?

While PlatformIO or Espressif esptool is recommended for handling the TongDou V9 Hardware Test Firmware, the ESP32-S3 platform is also compatible with the Arduino IDE provided you install the correct ESP32 board support packages and libraries.

How do the LD2412 radar and QMI8658A IMU work together?

The 24 GHz LD2412 radar detects human presence and motion in the surrounding environment, while the QMI8658A IMU tracks the physical orientation, tilt, and acceleration of the robot itself, enabling coordinated behavioral responses.

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.

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