ESP32 Archives

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Monitor live traffic from V2X signals with V2X2MAP open-source Android app and an ESP32-C5 development board

The OpenTrafficMap initiative has introduced the ESP32-C5 C-ITS receiver board, which uses 802.11p / ITS-G5 V2X communication over the 5.9 GHz WiFi 6 spectrum for traffic management. Peter Holzhauser has forked the firmware for this receiver and ported it to the Waveshare ESP32-C5-WIFI6-KIT development board, adding Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) streaming capabilities. He also developed the V2X2MAP open-source Android app to interface with the board, allowing users to monitor live traffic and visualize detected nodes on the OpenTrafficMap website. The ESP32-C5 C-ITS receiver board includes an ESP32-C5-WROOM-1 module, a GPS module, and an Ethernet port with Power over Ethernet (PoE). The V2X2MAP app captures signals from vehicles' on-board units (OBUs) and roadside units (RSUs) on the 5.9 GHz V2X band, collecting data such as GPS coordinates, speed, hazard alerts, traffic light countdowns, and intersection geometry. The app can update maps offline and refresh data via MQTT. The source code for the firmware and the V2X2MAP app is available on GitHub under an MIT license. The firmware has been adapted for the Waveshare ESP32-C5-WIFI6-KIT, which is available for purchase online. Users are cautioned about legal considerations regarding the reception and forwarding of ITS-G5 radio data, particularly concerning GDPR compliance in Europe. The ITS-G5 standard is primarily used in Europe, while other regions may rely on C-V2X technology.

AppWizard

April 12, 2026

This developer squeezed a full Minecraft server onto an ESP32, and it actually works

A developer named angelthebox has created a Minecraft server called Macerun that runs on the ESP32-S3 microcontroller, using Minecraft version 1.16.5 rewritten in C. Key features include the ability for players to join the server, explore the world, place and break blocks, procedural world chunk generation, basic crafting mechanics with 2x2 recipes, in-game chat, and tracking of basic physics, health, and hunger. Changes to blocks are saved to the chip's flash memory. However, the server lacks mobs, 3x3 crafting recipes, and the ability to retain player inventories and positions after exiting. The source code is available on the Macerun GitHub page.

Winsage

March 20, 2026

Retro Weather Display Acts Like It’s Windows 95

The weather display created by Jordan features the ESP32-2432S028, known as the CYD or Cheap Yellow Display, which has a 320 x 240 LCD screen housed in a 3D-printed design resembling a vintage CRT monitor. It includes a lever mechanism for tactile button engagement and is programmed to access Open-Meteo feeds for current weather and forecasts, as well as webcam feeds and satellite images. The interface is inspired by Windows 95, providing pages for current conditions, forecasts, and wind speeds.

AppWizard

November 10, 2025

This Lamp Runs Minecraft

Hackers have shifted their focus from running Doom on unconventional devices to establishing Minecraft servers on unexpected platforms. A recent achievement involves running a Minecraft server on an IoT light bulb, utilizing a BL602 RISC-V-powered microcontroller. The server, named Ucraft, was optimized to fit within the microcontroller's limited memory and storage, condensing the software to just a few tens of kilobytes. The microcontroller was extracted from the bulb, new firmware was flashed onto it, and then it was soldered back into place to host Minecraft worlds. Despite limitations in world size and available items, the server operates effectively, providing a responsive gaming experience.

AppWizard

September 20, 2025

World’s Smallest Minecraft Server Runs On a Tiny ESP32 Microchip

An inventive project called bareiron has created a custom Minecraft server on an ESP32 microcontroller, which is the size of a penny. The server operates with 400KB of memory and a 160MHz processor, significantly less than the typical requirements for a Minecraft server. To manage terrain generation, the project uses bilinear interpolation instead of the standard Perlin noise method, allowing for smooth landscape gradients while conserving memory. Biomes are represented as circular islands on a grid, with their types determined by a repeating pattern linked to the world’s seed. Cave systems are generated by mirroring the surface landscape, and ores are placed sparingly at depth. Crafting and inventory management have been simplified, with items directly added to the player's inventory instead of dropping. The server can load a chunk in about 200 milliseconds, though performance may decrease with more than three players. It operates on a trust-based model for player actions, which may lead to potential cheating.

AppWizard

September 13, 2025

ESP32 Hosts Functional Minecraft Server

Minecraft servers can be run on devices like the Raspberry Pi, and a recent innovation involves implementing an open world on an ESP32-C3 microcontroller using a C-based server implementation called bareiron. The server code has been optimized for the ESP32's hardware, enhancing performance and simplifying the game experience. Terrain generation uses x and z coordinates as seeds for a pseudorandom function, and underground features mirror the world above, creating a seamless experience. The loading time is approximately 200 milliseconds per chunk. Previous attempts to rewrite Minecraft server code have been made in languages like COBOL on actual computers.