Create a digital spirit level with the ESP32
Leveling the Game
© Lead Image © Uladzimir Kazhamiakin, 123RF.com
The small MPU6050 sensor contains a gyroscope and an accelerometer, which means that you can build a digital spirit level with it.
To build a digital spirit level, you first need a sensor such as the MPU6050, which determines the position of an object in space. It has an accelerometer and a gyroscope for each axis in space and measures just 4x4 millimeters. For our test setup, we used a module to hold the semiconductor. You can get it from AZ-Delivery for EUR4.79 [1]. If it is sold-out there, you can also purchase the module on Amazon or from Reichelt.
The MPU6050 communicates with the Raspberry Pi via the I2C bus. The AD0 connector defines whether the sensor resides on bus address 0x68 (AD0 to GND) or 0x69 (AD0 to VSS). The operating voltage for the module is in the range of 3.3 to 5 volts. If you need more information about the MPU6050, take a look at the datasheet [2]. To access the sensor, we will use a library with simple functions for accessing the sensor's readings.
I went for an ESP32, a highly integrated microcontroller with an unbeatable price/performance ratio, to process the data from the sensor. I will be using an ESP32 development kit [3], which you can pick up fairly cheaply for EUR9.49. The Arduino IDE provides the development environment.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
AUR Repository Still Under DDoS Attack
Arch User Repository continues to be under a DDoS attack that has been going on for two weeks.
-
RingReaper Malware Poses Danger to Linux Systems
A new kind of malware exploits modern Linux kernels for I/O operations.
-
Happy Birthday, Linux
On August 25, Linux officially turns 34.
-
VirtualBox 7.2 Has Arrived
With early support for Linux kernel 6.17 and other new additions, VirtualBox 7.2 is a must-update for users.
-
Linux Mint 22.2 Beta Available for Testing
Some interesting new additions and improvements are coming to Linux Mint. Check out the Linux Mint 22.2 Beta to give it a test run.
-
Debian 13.0 Officially Released
After two years of development, the latest iteration of Debian is now available with plenty of under-the-hood improvements.
-
Upcoming Changes for MXLinux
MXLinux 25 has plenty in store to please all types of users.
-
A New Linux AI Assistant in Town
Newelle, a Linux AI assistant, works with different LLMs and includes document parsing and profiles.
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Released with Minor Fixes
The latest Linux kernel doesn't really include any big-ticket features, just a lot of lines of code.
-
EU Sovereign Tech Fund Gains Traction
OpenForum Europe recently released a report regarding a sovereign tech fund with backing from several significant entities.