Updating the buried ESP-01S currently means a USB-UART adapter and a
GPIO0 jumper. Add a path to change its settings without reflashing, and
lay the groundwork for full firmware updates over the existing UART.
set_config (no reflash for settings):
- ESP-01S: add saveConfig() + a set_config command — updates GoPro
SSID/password/IP and poll interval, persists to LittleFS, acks, and
re-associates Wi-Fi if creds changed
- XIAO: forward an MQTT set_camera_config down to the ESP-01S over UART
(hub -> MQTT -> XIAO -> UART -> ESP-01S/LittleFS)
UART-OTA groundwork ("XIAO as flasher"):
- reserve XIAO GPIOs ESP01_RST_PIN=D8, ESP01_PGM_PIN=D10 for driving the
ESP-01S serial bootloader (not driven yet)
- docs/design/esp01s-uart-ota.md: full design (why Wi-Fi OTA doesn't fit
the 1MB ESP-01S on the GoPro AP, bootloader entry, ROM flash protocol,
HTTP-pull delivery, scope)
- hardware/README.md: fix stale ESP32-C3 -> XIAO ESP32-C6 wiring, add the
two control lines (Notion wiring diagram updated to match)
Both firmwares build clean and are flashed; set_config round-trip needs
the broker to exercise end-to-end.
Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Replaced GoPro-sleeve case design with simpler stand-mounted box:
- Case clips to tripod leg/stand pole (20-35mm diameter)
- No camera sleeve needed — case sits on the stand
- Powered by standard USB power bank (off-the-shelf)
- Holds ESP8266 + ESP32 stacked with UART wiring
- Cable ports for USB in/out, LED window, ventilation
Simplified BOM: ~1/node (down from 4), no buck converters needed
Complete rewrite of firmware into two dedicated boards per camera node:
ESP8266 (Camera Bridge):
- Connects ONLY to GoPro AP — polls status, sends over UART
- Zero network switching, zero MQTT
- HTTP GET /bacpac/SH for status, start/stop
- JSON-per-line UART protocol to ESP32
ESP32 (MQTT Bridge):
- Connects ONLY to travel router — MQTT to Pi hub
- Reads status from ESP8266 over UART2 (RX16/TX17)
- Auto-registration, heartbeat, command forwarding
- Zero camera communication
UART Protocol: JSON-per-line at 115200 8N1
ESP8266→ESP32: status/ack/pong/error
ESP32→ESP8266: cmd (start_recording/stop_recording/ping)
Hardware updates:
- BOM now includes both boards (~4/node)
- 3D case has stacked dual-board compartment
- UART wire channel between board recesses
- Shared 3.3V power rail for both boards
- GoPro Hero 3 sleeve with lens/screen/USB cutouts
- ESP32 D1 Mini electronics compartment (vented)
- LiPo battery compartment with velcro strap slots
- Bill of materials (~0 per camera node)
- Wiring diagram (LiPo → dual buck converters → ESP32 + GoPro)
- Field deployment workflow
OpenSCAD model in hardware/case/remoterig-case.scad
Assembly guide in hardware/README.md
Joshua King
Hermes