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peng-zhihui/minirover-hardware

Analysis updated 2026-07-18 · repo last pushed 2022-07-25

★ 611CAudience · researcherComplexity · 5/5DormantSetup · hard

TLDR

Open-source design files, firmware, and app for building your own small Mars-rover-style robot controlled from your phone.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Mars rover replica
      Remote video streaming
      Phone controlled
    Tech stack
      ESP32
      C
      Arduino
      Android
    Use cases
      Build a rover
      Learn robotics
      Modify hardware design
    Audience
      Hobbyists
      Students
      Robotics fans
    Setup
      Order PCBs
      Flash firmware
      Install app

Code map

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What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Build a small rover robot from open-source circuit designs and firmware.

USE CASE 2

Stream live video from the rover's camera to a phone over WiFi.

USE CASE 3

Learn robotics and electronics by studying a complete, documented hardware example.

USE CASE 4

Modify the ESP32 firmware or Android app to add custom rover features.

What is it built with?

ESP32CArduinoAndroid

How does it compare?

peng-zhihui/minirover-hardware21cncstudio/project_aura100/cranium
Stars611617602
LanguageCCC
Last pushed2022-07-25—2023-10-29
MaintenanceDormant—Dormant
Setup difficultyhardmoderatemoderate
Complexity5/53/54/5
Audienceresearchergeneralresearcher

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · hard Time to first run · 1day+

Requires manufacturing PCBs, sourcing components, and flashing firmware before it runs.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
Walk me through ordering the PCBs and components for the MiniRover hardware project.
Prompt 2
Explain how the ESP32 firmware handles motor control and video streaming in MiniRover.
Prompt 3
Show me how to flash the Arduino firmware onto the ESP32 chip for this rover.
Prompt 4
Help me modify the Android app to add a new control feature for the rover.
Prompt 5
What sensors and motor controllers does this rover use, and how are they wired together?

Frequently asked questions

What is minirover-hardware?

Open-source design files, firmware, and app for building your own small Mars-rover-style robot controlled from your phone.

What language is minirover-hardware written in?

Mainly C. The stack also includes ESP32, C, Arduino.

Is minirover-hardware actively maintained?

Dormant — no commits in 2+ years (last push 2022-07-25).

How hard is minirover-hardware to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated hard, with roughly 1day+ to a first successful run.

Who is minirover-hardware for?

Mainly researcher.

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