IoTivate Rover
Build and control a WiFi-powered 4WD robot car with live FPV camera, visual block programming, timed challenges, and a companion app — all flashable from your browser. Features a custom 3D-printable zero-screw snap-fit chassis.
Overview
What is the IoTivate Rover?
The IoTivate Rover is a WiFi-controlled 4-wheel-drive robot car with a live first-person-view (FPV) camera. It uses an ESP32-CAM as its brain — hosting its own WiFi access point, streaming video over WebSocket, and receiving driving commands from the companion app.
Zero-Screw Snap-Fit Chassis
Unlike generic robot car kits, the IoTivate Rover uses a custom 3D-printable chassis designed from scratch. Every component — motors, motor driver, ESP32-CAM, batteries, power switch — snaps into its own dedicated compartment. No screws, no tools, no glue.
- One-piece design — prints flat on any FDM printer
- No supports needed — zero overhangs, print and go
- Snap-fit compartments — motors, driver, camera, batteries, and switch all friction-fit into place
- Assembly in minutes — snap in components, wire them up, done
Download the STL file from this page and print your own, or order one from us.
Key Features
- Live FPV Camera — Real-time QVGA video stream from the onboard ESP32-CAM
- Joystick Control — Drive with an on-screen joystick with adjustable speed and sensitivity
- Code Mode — Visual block programming: drag Forward, Turn, Wait, and Light blocks to build programs your rover executes step by step
- Record & Replay — Drive manually, then replay your exact route as code blocks
- Timed Challenges — Maze Run, Speed Course, Precision Park, and more with saved best times
- Telemetry HUD — Live signal strength, FPS, and session timer overlaid on the video feed
- Multi-Rover Support — WiFi scanner finds all nearby rovers, tap to connect
- Safety Watchdog — Motors auto-stop on disconnect or command timeout
- Headlight Control — Toggle the onboard LED flash
- Snapshot Capture — Save camera frames to your phone's gallery
How It Works
- Print the chassis from the STL file (or order the kit)
- Snap in all the components — no screws needed
- Plug in the ESP32-CAM programmer and flash the firmware from this page
- Insert batteries, flip the switch, open the app, and drive
Technical Specs
| Microcontroller | ESP32-CAM (AI-Thinker) |
|---|---|
| Camera | OV2640, QVGA (320×240), ~10 FPS |
| Motor Driver | L298N dual H-bridge |
| Motors | 4× DC TT gear motors |
| Chassis | Custom 3D-printed, zero-screw snap-fit |
| Communication | WiFi AP mode, WebSocket on port 80 |
| Firmware | Arduino framework, v1.1.0 (web-flashable) |
| Companion App | Flutter (Android), v1.0.0 |
| Power | 2× 18650 Li-ion cells (7.4V) |
Parts List
| Component | Qty | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESP32-CAM (AI-Thinker) | 1 | Microcontroller with built-in camera and WiFi | Buy |
| ESP32-CAM MB Programmer | 1 | USB programmer board for flashing (not needed in final build) | Buy |
| L298N Motor Driver | 1 | Dual H-bridge motor driver module | Buy |
| DC Gear Motor with Wheel | 4 | 3-6V TT gear motors with press-fit wheels | Buy |
| Power Switch | 1 | SPST toggle or slide switch | Buy |
| Jumper Wires | 1 | female-to-female dupont wires for connections | Buy |
| Micro USB Cable | 1 | For flashing firmware via the programmer board | Buy |
| 3D Printed Chassis | 1 | Print from the STL file below — zero screws, snap-fit design | — |
| 18650 Battery Charger | 1 | Dual-slot charger for 18650 Li-ion cells | Buy |
| 18650 Battery | 2 | 18650 Battery | Buy |
| 18650 Battery dual battery holder | 1 | 18650 Battery dual battery holder | Buy |
Downloads
Circuit Diagram
Build Guide
Print the Chassis
Download the STL file from the Downloads section above. Print it on any FDM 3D printer:
- Material: PLA or PETG
- Layer height: 0.2mm
- Infill: 20%
- Supports: None needed — the chassis prints flat with zero overhangs
Print time is approximately 1-2 hours depending on your printer.
Flash the Firmware
Plug the ESP32-CAM into the MB programmer board. Connect it to your computer via USB. Click the "Flash Firmware" button on this page — the firmware will be flashed directly from your browser using Web Serial. No software installation needed.
After flashing, remove the ESP32-CAM from the programmer. You won't need the programmer again.
Snap In the Motors
Press each of the 4 DC gear motors into the corner compartments of the chassis. They friction-fit into place — no screws needed. Attach the wheels by pressing them onto the motor shafts.
Snap In the Electronics
Place each component into its dedicated compartment:
- L298N motor driver — snaps into the center compartment
- ESP32-CAM — snaps into the front slot (camera facing forward)
- Power switch — snaps into the side slot
- 18650 batteries — drop into the battery cradle in the center
Everything friction-fits. No screws, no glue, no tools.
Wire It Up
Connect the components using jumper wires:
| ESP32-CAM Pin | L298N Pin | Function |
|---|---|---|
| GPIO 12 | ENA | Speed control (PWM) |
| GPIO 13 | IN1 | Motor direction |
| GPIO 15 | IN2 | Motor direction |
| GPIO 14 | IN3 | Motor direction |
| GPIO 2 | IN4 | Motor direction |
| 5V | 5V out | Power to ESP32 |
| GND | GND | Common ground |
Connect the batteries to L298N power input via the switch. Connect each motor pair to the L298N output terminals.
Power On and Drive
Flip the power switch. The ESP32-CAM will boot and create a WiFi network named IOTIVATE_ROVER_XXXXXX.
- Install the IoTivate Rover app on your Android phone
- Open the app and tap "Find Rovers"
- Select your rover from the list (password:
12345678) - Drive!
Firmware
v1.1.0IoTivate Rover Firmware
- - WiFi AP with unique SSID per device (IOTIVATE_ROVER_XXXXXX)
- - Live JPEG video streaming over WebSocket
- - JSON command parsing (direction + speed + light)
- - Safety watchdog — auto-stops motors on disconnect or 500ms command timeout
- - Telemetry stream — RSSI / FPS / uptime / free heap sent every 1s
- - Hello handshake — sends firmware version and MAC on connect
- - Configurable camera (QVGA / quality 10 / vertical flip)
You need an account to purchase firmware.
Companion App
IoTivate Rover
Control your IoTivate Rover with live FPV video, joystick driving, visual block programming, timed challenges, and more.
- - Multi-rover WiFi scanner with auto-connect
- - Live FPV camera feed with telemetry HUD (RSSI / FPS / uptime)
- - Joystick control with axis locking and haptic feedback
- - Code Mode — visual block programming with 8 block types
- - Record and Replay — capture manual driving as code blocks
- - Save and load programs
- - 6 timed challenges with persistent best times
- - Camera snapshots saved to gallery
- - Headlight toggle
- - Settings — max speed limiter / joystick sensitivity / invert Y / haptics
- - First-launch onboarding tutorial
- - Rover identity display (name / MAC / firmware version)
APK download requires firmware purchase. Available after payment completion.