This $30 Project Puts You in the Driver’s Seat of an RC Car
Build your own 4WD FPV racing car for under $30 with this Seeed Studio XIAO-powered DIY project that puts you right in the driver's seat.
While it may not be possible for you to take a seat in your RC car and go for a spin, you can do the next best thing by equipping it with a first-person view (FPV) camera. This technology allows you to see exactly what the car sees in real-time, effectively putting you in the driver's seat. FPV cameras are no longer limited to high-end RC vehicles. In fact, as YouTuber Simple Circuits recently showed, you can build your own FPV RC car at home for under $30 in parts.
The project is built around the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-S3 Sense, which includes both processing power and a tiny camera module on the same board. It handles live video streaming while simultaneously managing the car’s controls, eliminating the need for additional hardware. This makes for a streamlined, highly efficient design that fits neatly into a custom 3D-printed chassis.
Mobility comes from four N20 gear motors, giving the tiny vehicle full four-wheel-drive capability. These motors are controlled by two DRV8838 motor drivers, allowing for precise movement, including tight turns and responsive acceleration.
Power is supplied by a 3.7V lithium polymer battery, paired with a TP4056 charging module for easy recharging. A boost converter steps the voltage up to a stable 5V, which is carefully calibrated using a multimeter before connecting sensitive electronics. A capacitor helps smooth out voltage fluctuations, while a slide switch controls the power.
The chassis is 3D-printed in durable nylon for strength and lightweight performance, while the tires are printed in flexible TPU to maximize traction. The parts were produced through industrial 3D printing services, ensuring a professional-grade finish.
On the software side, the ESP32-S3 is programmed using the Arduino IDE with specific configuration settings, including enabling USB CDC on boot for serial communication and selecting OPI PSRAM for expanded memory. Once uploaded, the system outputs an IP address via the serial monitor, which becomes the gateway to the car’s control interface.
The car creates its own Wi-Fi hotspot that is accessible via that IP address, allowing a smartphone or laptop to connect directly to it. Through a browser-based interface, users can control movement and view a live video feed from the front-mounted camera. The interface offers intuitive controls and near real-time responsiveness.
Simple Circuits gives a few practical engineering lessons in the project video, such as the importance of separating power lines between motors and logic components to avoid interference. Be sure to watch it all the way through for more tips before you get started on your own FPV RC car build.