Waveshare Wave Rover – 4WD Robot with ESP32 Driver Board

The Wave Rover is a full metal body 4WD mobile robot chassis, which features superb off-road crossing ability and shock-absorbing performance, open source all code for secondary development. It supports multiple host computers (Raspberry Pi, Jetson Nano, Jetson Orin Nano, etc), the host computer can communicate with the ESP32 slave computer through the serial port.

Equipped with four N20 geared motors using a high-quality gearbox, which allows the mobile robot to drive at high speed with great power. Built in 3S UPS power supply module, supports 3×18650 Li batteries (in series, NOT included), which provides uninterruptible power for the robot and supports charging and power output at the same time. Built in multi-functional robot driver board, based on ESP32, with onboard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, for driving serial bus servos, outputting PWM signal, expanding TF card slot, etc.

The Wave Rover adopts flexible rubber tires which greatly reduce the impact of complex terrains, can easily meet the needs of high-speed driving, shock absorption, and off-road. Comes with a mounting plate, can be used to install the host computers, LD19/STL-27L lidar, and pan-tilt camera, providing more possibilities for secondary development.

Key features

• Equipped with N20 reduction motors that use high-quality gearboxes, enabling it to travel at a high speed of 1.25m/s.
• The flexible rubber tires significantly reduce the impact of complex terrains on the product.
• It features a 0.91-inch OLED screen for interactive purposes.
• The product is designed with a charging interface and automatic download circuit, allowing it to be used while charging.
• The UPS power module on board contains an INA219 acquisition chip, facilitating real-time monitoring of battery voltage and charging current.
• The UPS power module utilizes three 18650 batteries (not included) in series with a large capacity of 7800mAh, providing a higher output current and stronger motor power.
• The UPS power module also offers 5V and 3.3V outputs for expanding other devices.
• The UPS power module includes a lithium battery protection circuit, offering functions such as overcharging, over-discharging, overcurrent, and short-circuit protection.
• The sample code is developed using Arduino IDE, eliminating the need for manual configuration of the compilation environment. Upon startup, the ESP32 automatically establishes a Wi-Fi hotspot. Users can connect and log in to the control interface using a smartphone (Android/iOS) or a computer (Linux/Windows/Mac) with any Chromium-based browser, without requiring an app download.
• The slave ESP32 can be used to drive DC motors and serial bus servos, onboard interface for OLED screens, TF card slots, a nine-axis IMU module, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Even without installing an upper-level device, it can be used independently.
• The system can be extended with various host devices, using serial communication to transmit control data in JSON format.
• The entire code is open-source and comes with online rich development documentation and tutorials.
• The open-source resource includes planar drawings and chassis structural drawings, including 3D models, facilitating secondary development.
• JSON commands can be sent via serial port, USB, HTTP, ESP-NOW, etc.
• Most of the configuration settings can be realized by JSON commands, for example, you can configure Wi-Fi connection for the product without connecting the USB cable.

Strong compatibility, easy to install peripheral devices

Compatible with various control boards, provides more mounting holes for installing various peripheral devices, easier and more flexible, greatly reduces the development complexity and provides more development space.

Multi-functional robot driver board

Based on ESP32, not only open source the entire code of the Wave Rover but also the demos of each module of this driver board, which is convenient for secondary development. Expanding multi functions for driving the DC motor, serial bus servo, OLED screen interface, TF card slot. Onboard 9-axis IMU, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module. Can be used independently even without the host computer.

High-quality flexible rubber tire

When running in rough terrain, the flexible rubber tires can deform slightly to increase friction with the ground and improve its stability.

Open-source demos including Web applications

If the robot is not connected to a known Wi-Fi after powering on, it will automatically establish a hotspot. After connecting to this hotspot by your phone or computer, you can open the browser for wireless remote control. Supports secondary development of this open-source Web application and adding new custom functions.

Comes with a mounting plate, easily expanding the special operation scenarios

Can be used to install the host computers (Raspberry Pi 4B, Jetson Nano, Jetson Orin Nano, etc.), LD19/STL-27L lidar, and pan-tilt camera, providing more possibilities for secondary development.

Rich interfaces and peripherals

0.91-inch OLED display screen: the display content can be modified via Web application or the host UART interface.

4WD high-speed off-road chassis development platform

Up to 1.25m/s running speed.

Supports driving in complex terrain

AWD can provide stronger power and traction to deal with various terrains and obstacles.

Superb shock absorption performance

The excellent shock absorption design can reduce the damage by road obstacles to the internal and external components during driving, thus extending the service life in complex terrain scenarios.

3S Lithium battery, UPS power supply module

3×18650 in series (not included) as the power for the robot, can output 5V and 3.3V for external devices. Onboard INA219 chip for detecting voltage/current information and so on. Supports charging and power output at the same time, allowing uninterrupted development.

High strength aluminum body

The car body is made of 2mm thickness 5052 Aluminum Alloy, which can effectively protect the internal structure during use and enhance the overall stability and durability.

Rich open-source demos, directly control a variety of peripherals

Supports sending JSON commands via the Web application or UART communication to control a variety of peripherals, such as control and configure the serial bus servos, obtain the servo feedback and IMU information, control the angle of PWM servos, modifying the content of the OLED display, etc. more convenient for host development.