Anyone can control these IoT-enabled dorm room traffic lights
Riley Hutton, a maker and developer, has creatively repurposed a decommissioned traffic light by integrating it with an ESP32 microcontroller, allowing it to be remotely controlled via a web browser. Initially intended as a decorative piece for his dorm room at university, Hutton made the light web-controlled so others could interact with it online. The project quickly gained popularity after he shared it on Reddit, attracting thousands of visitors eager to control the traffic light, resulting in over 12,000 hits and causing the green light to blow due to high demand.
The traffic light setup involves an ESP32 microcontroller, which Hutton chose for its faster clock speed and ability to handle the large volume of users trying to control the light simultaneously. The ESP32 connects to the web app through an MQTT broker via Amazon Lightsail, allowing users to change the light’s colors in real-time with only a slight delay in the video feed. Hutton also included an OLED display for debugging, ensuring the system remained operational despite the heavy traffic.
Hutton shared that the project experienced a surge in interest, with as many as 100 people attempting to change the light at once, showcasing the robustness of the ESP32 in managing the traffic. The system operates using solid-state relays to silently control the light’s transformers, which step down the 230V UK mains power to 12V AC for the bulbs.
This project not only demonstrates the versatility of the ESP32 but also offers insights into how real-time web control can be implemented in a fun and engaging way. Although a Raspberry Pi Pico W could potentially handle the same task, Hutton’s use of the ESP32 showcases its capabilities in managing both high traffic and reliable web-based control of hardware.
Read more: Anyone can control these IoT-enabled dorm room traffic lights
