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
Hermes