RFID (radio-frequency identification) is a technology where wireless non-contact use of radio frequency waves is used to transfer data. This usually involves a reader that collects data from an RFID tag, and it has a wide variety of applications. In this article, we’ll take a look at some ESP32-based RFID projects!
While there are plenty of RFID projects made with an Arduino, sometimes you need something with Wi-Fi capability. One example can be found in this project by Martin Hierholzer, who integrated it into a fancy jukebox for his two-year-old daughter to listen to her favorite songs.
Extra components needed to develop the ESP32 Jukebox via RFID are: a microSD card slot for mass storage, a PCM5102 I2S DAC with a PAM8403 amplifier for handling audio, and a MFRC522 RFID receiver for tags which are placed on top of the player. The module is powered by a USB battery bank, and everything is housed on a custom PCB.
The interface is perfectly designed for children with just a few buttons, no display to read, and the ability to stop and start songs using RFID tags embedded into 3D printed figures. The popular ESP32 microcontroller is powerful enough to play MP3s, and its integrated Wi-Fi connectivity allows the device to download new tracks from the network when needed.
This project provides access control with the ESP32 via RFID. For this, you’ll need an Arduino Nano R3, ESP32, generic relay, RGB LCD Shield Kit, 16×2 Character Display, 12C LCD, Adafruit NeoPixel ring, WS2812 5050 RGB, RFID module (generic), buzzer, and some push-button switches. You’ll also need to use Tinkercad, circuito.io, Fritzing, Arduino IDE, and Linux (Mint).
By using the above-mentioned components and online services, you can develop an access control system that is capable of reading from the server to allow access to an office space, for example. The app will be able to control over 60 doors by linking each door with a separate circuit with a DS2401 transistor attached, which will have several RFID cards linked to it. The enclosure can be 3D printed.
This is a useful card door lock system based on ESP32 with RFID that can store approximately 13,106 cards. An 25AA512 512kbit SPI EEPROM should be used together with an RFID reader. The system also has a 2.4″ display with 320×240 pixels, and a key card feature as well, incorporating a 125kHz EM4000 compatible card.
Components required are: a 2.4″ SPI TFT LCD touchscreen, SparkFun RFID Reader ID-12LA (125 kHz), glass reed relay switch, RobotGeek Relay, Microchip 25AA512 EEPROM, and ESP32 Developer Edition.
When a card is swiped and detected on the SPI interface, the microcontroller listens, connects to Wi-Fi, and sends an HTML coded message to the server. The server then stores the UID of the card in an SQL database with a timestamp and location for later reporting an alert. In the event of the unavailability of Wi-Fi or the target web server, the swipe history will be retained unless and until the device has a power source.
This project can be built with one of three microcontrollers: Arduino MKR Wi-Fi 1010, ESP32 (ThingPulse), or ESP8266 NodeMCU,
This RFID card reader project uses an Adafruit HUZZAH ESP32-based Feather with onboard Wi-Fi. In order to share and process a scanned RFID card key, the HUZZAH connects to the Medium One Prototyping Sandbox, which will add, erase, and validate the RFID card key. Furthermore, a user can utilize the Medium One IoT controller application on a smartphone to opt for the card processing mode. Key components required for this project: a Feather HUZZAH with ESP32, CP2104 USB driver, SparkFun RFID USB reader, SparkFun RFID Reader ID-12LA, two card keys, and the Medium One IoT Controller app.
This is a music controller device made with an ESP32. At the core of this RFID-based music controller is the ESP32 on a Wemos Lolin32 development board. Other components required include a MAX98357A amplifier, USD card reader, RC522 or PN5180 RFID reader, RFID tags, NeoPixel ring, rotary encoder, buttons, and speaker. The maker recommends using Microsoft Visual Studio Code which helps in the installation of hundreds of helpful plugins.
With an RFID reader, an automatic parking gate switch was developed, and at its heart is the ESP32 Dev Kit C v4. Other parts required are an RC522 RFID reader/writer, KF-301 relay, battery 09V, IP55 junction box, transistor, wires, soldering board, screws, and 4.7k 1/4W resistor. The MFRC522 library used here works with other RFID RC522-based readers.
Create your own RFID reader with a TFT touch display that’s also capable of being wall-mounted. This project requires an ESP32 Dev Kit C, AZ-Touch ESP Kit, RC522 RFID reader, and wrapping wire. You can use this reader for access to doors, or as part of an intruder alarm terminal.
This is a portable attendance system built with RFID technology and the ESP32. The key components required include an ESP32 board, 0.96-inch OLED display, RFID module, jumper wires, and breadboard.
Whether you need something for your office, workplace, or club, this affordable build may be worth a look! Basically, verification is done on the server using the card UID that is transmitted over the internet.
The website used in this project has a database to record the card UID. By logging into the web server, personal records of each attendee can be found, including the times for when they have entered and left the place. Furthermore, the data can be downloaded and exported to a spreadsheet which will come in handy for further analysis.
This is another access control system, but this time it utilizes the NodeMCU-32S ESP-WROOM-32 board and an RC522 RFID module. In particular, this system works with a card or even a keychain that has an RFID chip within. This portable option can be used for your workplace, club, employees, and other applications. You can even remotely store and retrieve data on these chips, as they have up to 1kB of memory!
Which ESP32 RFID Project Will You Make?
In this article, we’ve looked at various gadgets that utilize RFID technology and ESP32 with a wide range of practical applications! You may have found something you like among these RFID-based projects.
For most of them, you will need an ESP32 development board along with a range of commonly found components such as an affordable RFID module. Start off with something simple and work your way up to the other gadgets that have a more advanced difficulty level.
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