Your ESP32 As A USB Bluetooth Dongle

Dakhnod has demonstrated that an ESP32 microcontroller can serve as a Bluetooth interface for a desktop computer, communicating over the USB interface through the Host Controller Interface (HCI) protocol. HCI is a set of standardized commands that allow a host computer (e.g., a desktop) to communicate with a Bluetooth device. Typically, modern computers have Bluetooth built-in, but this project proves that with an ESP32, it’s possible to replicate that function.

Although the repository doesn’t specify the exact ESP32 variant, it likely involves one of the newer models equipped with a USB peripheral, since not all ESP32s have that capability. This setup is confirmed to work on Linux systems, and it is hinted that with the proper HCI driver, it should work on Windows as well.

While at first glance, the project might seem redundant given the widespread availability of Bluetooth interfaces on most computers, it serves as a valuable learning exercise. It offers a deeper look into Bluetooth communication protocols and how the HCI layer bridges a computer and Bluetooth device, making this project an exciting deep dive for anyone interested in the mechanics of Bluetooth technology or ESP32 applications.

Read more: Your ESP32 As A USB Bluetooth Dongle