RC Car Control System (Raspberry Pi Pico W + Python)

This project provides a complete system for controlling RC cars over Wi-Fi using Raspberry Pi Pico W microcontrollers. Each car is configured individually, connects to a shared wireless network, and is controlled from a host computer using real-time keyboard input.

🚗 Project Components

🧠 On the RC Car (Pico W):

• Reads PWM config from config.json
• Connects to Wi-Fi using networkinfo.json
• Listens for HTTP control commands (/api?cmd=...&turn=...)
• Drives an ESC (motor) and servo (steering) using MicroPython

💻 On the Control Host (Mac or PC):

• control_rc_car.py script
• Sends commands via HTTP using WASD keyboard input
• Uses .local mDNS hostnames for multi-car control

---

📦 File Structure

rc-car-control/
├── main.py               # Pico W control script
├── control_rc_car.py     # Mac/PC keyboard controller
├── config.json           # Pico hardware & hostname config
├── networkinfo.json      # Pico Wi-Fi credentials
├── requirements.txt      # Python dependencies for host control
└── README.md             # You’re here

---

🛠️ Setup Instructions

🔧 1. Flashing the Pico W

1. Flash MicroPython to the Pico W (https://micropython.org/download/rp2-pico-w/)
2. Use Thonny to connect to the Pico
3. Upload main.py, config.json, and networkinfo.json
4. Save main.py directly on the Pico (not your computer)

📡 2. Configuring Wi-Fi and Hostname

Example config.json (on the Pico):

{
  "hostname": "rc1",
  "esc_pin": 16,
  "servo_pin": 17
}

Example networkinfo.json (on the Pico and the computer):

{
  "SSID": "YourWiFiNetwork",
  "PASSWORD": "YourWiFiPassword"
}

⌨️ 3. Running the Host Control Script

Install dependencies:

pip install -r requirements.txt

Run the control script:

python control_rc_car.py

You can now control the car using:

W = Forward
S = Stop
A/D = Left/Right steering

---

🚙 Multi-Car Setup

You can run multiple RC cars simultaneously on the same network by:

1. Giving each car a unique hostname in its config.json (e.g., rc1, rc2, rc3, …)
2. Updating your control script to point to different cars via hostname (rc2.local, etc.)

---

🧪 Testing

•   Press W while connected to verify motor spin
•	Watch onboard LED:
•	Fast blink while connecting to Wi-Fi
•	Solid once connected
•	Use ping `rc1.local` to test mDNS resolution

---

📋 Requirements

•   Raspberry Pi Pico W
•   GoolRC ESC + Brushless Motor
•	Servo motor (3-wire)
•	URGENEX 7.4V 2000mAh battery
•	Python 3.9+ on control host

---

🤝 Contributing

1.	Fork the repo
2.	Create a feature branch (git checkout -b feature/my-feature)
3.	Commit changes and push
4.	Open a pull request