Node-RED and ESP32 Project from Udemy

Updated December 2022 to support Node-Red version 3

In December 2022, we added a new section with eight lectures that cover Node-RED version 3.

With these lectures, you will learn how to upgrade your Node-RED instance to version 3 and use the most important new and updated features.

Updated June 2022 to support Node-Red version 2.2.2+ and Node.js 16.

More details about this update: We have added ten new lectures that show you how to update Node-Red to version 2.2.2, and Node.js to version 16, as well as how to use several of the new nodes that come with Node-Red 2.

There's also a lecture showing you how to complete this project without having to set up an actual terrarium so that you can learn without the mess.

This course teaches you how to design and build an automated control system using Node-RED and the ESP32.

This course will guide you through the construction of an automated control system. The deliverable is a Terrarium controller.

Along the way, you will learn a great deal about useful technologies such as the Node-Red programming environment and MQTT.

This course is perfect for makers familiar with the ESP32 and interested in learning how to use it alongside Node-RED.

Node-RED is a lightweight graphical programming tool. You can use it to join various hardware and software components and create applications such as the automated terrarium controller in this course.

Node-RED is used in a range of settings. Makers create home automation applications, and organisations use it to automate their factory floors, among many other possibilities.

The ESP32 is a powerful low-cost microcontroller with built-in Wi-Fi that we can program with the familiar Arduino IDE. Its "call to fame" is that it makes it easy for anyone familiar with the Arduino to leverage their knowledge and create gadgets that need more memory and processing power than what the Arduino Uno can provide, in addition to Wifi and Bluetooth. All this at a lower price point.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Node-red, the lightweight graphical programming tool.
Esp32, the powerful low-cost microcontroller with wifi that you can program with the arduino ide.
Mqtt mosquitto broker, for reliable messaging between the esp32 and node-red.

Use any raspberry pi as a host for node-red and the mqtt mosquitto broker.
How to combine node-red, mqtt, the raspberry pi, and the esp32 to create a complete automated control application.
Use javascript inside node-red to process sensor inputs and calculate actions.

Node-red, the lightweight graphical programming tool.
Esp32, the powerful low-cost microcontroller with wifi that you can program with the arduino ide.
Mqtt mosquitto broker, for reliable messaging between the esp32 and node-red.
Use any raspberry pi as a host for node-red and the mqtt mosquitto broker.
How to combine node-red, mqtt, the raspberry pi, and the esp32 to create a complete automated control application.
Use javascript inside node-red to process sensor inputs and calculate actions.

Syllabus

Introduction

01.10 What is this course about?

01.20 Software requirements

01.30 Hardware requirements

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Combines Node-RED, MQTT, Raspberry Pi, and ESP32, offering makers a comprehensive approach to building automated control applications, such as a terrarium controller

Teaches how to use Javascript inside Node-RED, which allows learners to process sensor inputs and calculate actions, expanding their capabilities in automation projects

Requires specific hardware components, such as the ESP32 microcontroller and Raspberry Pi, which may require additional investment beyond a typical software course

Uses Node-RED versions 2 and 3, which are relatively recent, ensuring that learners are working with up-to-date features and functionalities of the platform

Employs MQTT Mosquitto broker for messaging, which is a standard protocol for IoT applications, providing learners with practical experience in reliable data communication

Reviews summary

Practical node-red and esp32 automation project

According to learners, this course offers a hands-on, project-based approach to combining Node-RED and ESP32 for automation. Many find it a practical introduction to topics like MQTT and building control systems. The course is particularly well-suited for makers and hobbyists already familiar with ESP32 or Arduino. Reviews frequently highlight the clear explanations and the value of building a tangible project like the terrarium controller. Recent updates to cover Node-RED versions 2 and 3 are noted, keeping the content relevant. While generally highly rated, some learners mention the necessity of having specific hardware and a foundational understanding of ESP32/Raspberry Pi beforehand, suggesting it might be less ideal for absolute beginners in hardware or software.

Content reflects recent software versions.

"It was great to see the course updated to include Node-RED version 3."

"The sections on upgrading Node-RED were very helpful and kept the course current."

"Knowing the course supports the latest versions gives me confidence in the material."

Content is easy to follow and understand.

"The instructor does a great job explaining complex topics like MQTT and Node-RED flows."

"Everything was presented in a very clear and concise manner."

"I found the explanations easy to follow, even for someone relatively new to Node-RED."

"The lectures break down the steps effectively."

Good introduction to Node-RED, ESP32, MQTT.

"I got a solid introduction to Node-RED and how it integrates with ESP32 using MQTT."

"The course effectively combines these three technologies into a functional system."

"It covers the essentials needed to start building my own IoT projects."

"Learned how to use Node-RED dashboard and MQTT broker effectively."

Focuses on a practical, hands-on project.

"The course is fantastic! The project-based approach is great for understanding how to connect Node-RED and ESP32."

"I really enjoyed building the actual terrarium controller step-by-step. It solidified my learning."

"Having a clear final project made the concepts much easier to grasp and apply immediately."

"I appreciate learning by doing, and this project provides a great framework for that."

Beneficial with some hardware background.

"While the course is good, I think a basic understanding of ESP32 or Arduino is helpful before starting."

"I struggled a bit with the hardware setup, assuming prior experience with ESP32 and breadboards."

"This course is probably best for makers who already have some experience with microcontrollers."

"It moves quickly through some hardware steps that might be challenging for complete novices."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Node-RED and ESP32 Project with these activities:

Review Basic Electronics Concepts

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Reviewing basic electronics concepts will help you better understand the circuit design and sensor integration aspects of the terrarium controller project.

Browse courses on Ohm's Law

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Review online resources covering basic electronics principles.
Solve practice problems related to circuit analysis.
Identify key components like resistors, capacitors, and transistors.

Brush Up on Arduino IDE Programming

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Practicing with the Arduino IDE will make it easier to modify and upload code to the ESP32 for sensor data acquisition and control.

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Work through Arduino IDE tutorials.
Practice writing simple sketches for reading sensor data.
Familiarize yourself with common Arduino libraries.

Follow Node-RED Tutorials for Beginners

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Working through beginner Node-RED tutorials will help you grasp the fundamentals of flow-based programming and node configuration.

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Complete the official Node-RED getting started guide.
Experiment with different node types and their configurations.
Build a simple flow that reads data from a simulated sensor.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

MQTT Publish/Subscribe Practice

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Practicing MQTT publish/subscribe will solidify your understanding of message queuing and communication between the ESP32 and Node-RED.

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Set up a local MQTT broker (e.g., Mosquitto).
Use MQTT client tools to publish and subscribe to topics.
Write simple Node-RED flows to interact with the MQTT broker.

Simple Home Automation Project with Node-RED

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Starting a small home automation project will allow you to apply the concepts learned in the course to a real-world scenario.

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Choose a simple automation task (e.g., controlling a light).
Connect a sensor and actuator to an ESP32.
Create a Node-RED flow to control the actuator based on sensor data.
Deploy and test your automation system.

Document Your Terrarium Controller Project

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Creating documentation for your terrarium controller project will reinforce your understanding and help you share your knowledge with others.

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Write a detailed description of your project goals and design.
Create diagrams of your circuit and Node-RED flow.
Document the code for your ESP32 sketch.
Publish your documentation on a blog or online forum.

Contribute to a Node-RED Node Library

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Contributing to an open-source Node-RED node library will deepen your understanding of Node-RED development and community collaboration.

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Identify a Node-RED node library that interests you.
Review the library's documentation and contribution guidelines.
Contribute a bug fix, new feature, or documentation improvement.
Submit your contribution for review.

Career center

Learners who complete Node-RED and ESP32 Project will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Hobbyist Maker

A Hobbyist Maker creates projects for fun and personal interest. This course is ideal for a Hobbyist Maker as it provides a hands-on project for building an automated terrarium controller with the ESP32 and Node-RED. This course gives the skills for combining hardware and software to create an automation system. The course covers technologies such as MQTT. This course may be a great fit for a maker interested in learning about the internet of things and automation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hobbyist Maker

Internet of Things Engineer

An Internet of Things Engineer designs and develops IoT devices and systems. This course is directly relevant to the role, as it covers the design and construction of an automated control system using the ESP32 and Node-RED, both essential in the IoT field. The course's use of MQTT for communication between devices and the server is a typical pattern in IoT systems. This course guides a student through the creation of a Terrarium controller, which provides a solid understanding of combining hardware and software for IoT applications. A course like this helps the Internet of Things Engineer understand how to use lightweight graphical programming tools to join various hardware and software components.

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Automation Engineer

An Automation Engineer designs, develops, and implements automated systems. This course directly aligns with this role, as it provides hands-on experience in creating an automated control system using Node-RED and the ESP32 microcontroller. This project based approach, where learners build a terrarium controller, provides a practical understanding of how to integrate hardware and software components for automation. The course also discusses technologies such as MQTT, which is crucial for reliable messaging in such systems. Learning to combine Node-RED, MQTT, the Raspberry Pi, and the ESP32 to create a complete automated control application is key to succeeding as an Automation Engineer.

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Embedded Systems Engineer

An Embedded Systems Engineer develops software and firmware for embedded systems, often involving microcontrollers like the ESP32. This course offers practical experience with programming the ESP32 using the Arduino IDE, as well as using it in a system. The course teaches how to use Node-RED as an application builder. In this course, the student creates an automated terrarium controller. This kind of project gives an Embedded Systems Engineer experience with technologies like MQTT for communication. The embedded systems engineer should take this course to gain skills in control systems and IoT devices, as well as experience combining hardware and software for embedded solutions.

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Home Automation Specialist

A Home Automation Specialist designs, installs, and maintains home automation systems. This course provides a relevant foundation for such a role because the material covers how to create an automated control system using Node-RED and the ESP32. The course's project of building a terrarium controller provides hands-on experience with integrating hardware and software components for automation. The student will learn to use Node-RED to combine hardware and software components. It also discusses MQTT, a protocol used for messaging in automation systems. This experience is directly applicable to home automation settings.

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Control Systems Technician

A Control Systems Technician works with automated systems, often involving programmable logic controllers and other control hardware. This course helps prepare a student for this sort of work by teaching them to design and build an automated control system using Node-RED and the ESP32. The practical project, which is to create a terrarium controller, provides experience with using hardware and software for control. This course will also teach the Control Systems Technician how to use technologies like MQTT. The course's focus on using Node-RED for graphical programming of control systems also makes this a good fit.

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Electrical Engineer

An Electrical Engineer designs and develops electrical and electronic systems. This course may be useful for someone interested in the field, as it provides a practical project designing an automated control system using Node-RED and the ESP32. The course touches on design and implementation with a low cost microcontroller. The course uses technologies such as MQTT for communication. The student builds a terrarium controller, which allows the learner to combine hardware components with software. This course may be a good fit for an Electrical Engineer interested in embedded systems and control applications.

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Robotics Technician

A Robotics Technician builds, tests, and maintains robots and automated systems. This course may help someone interested in this role as it provides a practical introduction to creating an automated control system using Node-RED and the ESP32. The terrarium controller project provides experience in integrating hardware and software components. The course materials introduce the student to MQTT, which is used for messaging between devices. By giving a learner hands-on experience with programming microcontrollers and creating control applications, this course helps build a foundation to enter the field of robotics.

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Software Developer

A software developer creates software solutions across a variety of settings. Although this is not a typical software role, many software developers are curious about hardware. This course can help the learner understand more about the Internet of Things, and about control systems. This course shows a software developer how to use Node-RED as a visual programming tool to create an application. It also covers the use of MQTT, which is a messaging protocol. This is a practical course that creates a system that controls a terrarium. The course's focus on practical projects may help a Software Developer better understand embedded systems and control applications.

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Research Scientist

A Research Scientist may use this knowledge in experimental setups and data acquisition systems. This course may be useful to a Research Scientist as it demonstrates how to build and automate a process using the ESP32 and Node-RED. The course uses MQTT for messaging, which may be helpful in experimental setups.. The construction of a terrarium controller is a practical project, and the course also uses a Raspberry Pi to host the application. This project course may help a Research Scientist understand useful technologies like the internet of things and control systems.

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Hardware Engineer

A Hardware Engineer designs and develops physical components of computer systems. This course may be useful to a Hardware Engineer. While this course does not focus on hardware design, it introduces the student to the ESP32 microcontroller, a commonly used hardware component. The course also teaches the student to combine hardware and software. The course demonstrates how to program a microcontroller using the Arduino IDE. This hands-on course, with a terrarium controller project, gives a Hardware Engineer a way to learn more about hardware and software interaction.

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Data Analyst

A Data Analyst examines data to identify trends and insights. This course may be helpful to a data analyst who is curious about data collection. The course demonstrates how to program devices to collect data, and how to send that data to a server using MQTT. The course also touches on how to use a Google Sheet to log data from the terrarium. This course may be helpful for a Data Analyst who is curious about data collection in the Internet of Things.

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System Administrator

A System Administrator manages computer systems and networks. This course may be helpful to a system administrator curious about the Internet of Things. The course includes system level components such as Node-RED and MQTT, and it hosts these technologies on the Raspberry Pi platform. The course discusses the configuration and authentication of these tools. The course will show how to set up the software components, and how to use these technologies in concert. This course may help a System Administrator understand how to set up an automated system.

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Science Teacher

A Science Teacher educates students about scientific concepts. This course may be useful to such a person who wishes to teach about automation and the internet of things. The course introduces microcontrollers like the ESP32, as well as Node-RED as a visual programming tool. This course gives a hands-on project of creating an automated terrarium controller. The teacher can use this knowledge to bring practical examples into the classroom. This kind of course might be a worthwhile experience for a Science Teacher interested in hands-on learning.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager plans and oversees projects. While not directly related to project management, this course might be helpful for a Project Manager who wants a better understanding of what goes into creating an Internet of Things (IoT) application. The course demonstrates how to combine hardware and software components, and it also provides a full example of a control system. The practical application of building a terrarium controller may be a useful exercise for a Project Manager who wishes to learn more about the process of IoT design.

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