ESP32 Cam for Fun

Overview

A DIY home surveillance camera built around the ESP32-CAM module. The camera connects to the local Wi-Fi network and streams live MJPEG video to a browser — no cloud subscriptions, no monthly fees, just a £5 chip doing its thing.

The project is an exploration of embedded systems, networking, and how much you can squeeze out of a tiny microcontroller. Also, it's genuinely fun to set up.

Technologies Used

Project Status

Currently in progress. The camera streams live video over the local network. Next steps include adding motion detection, a simple web UI, and potentially storing clips to an SD card.

Gallery

ESP32-CAM module close-up

Wired to FTDI programmer for flashing

Live MJPEG stream in browser

Project Timeline

gantt
    title ESP32 Cam Timeline
    dateFormat YYYY-MM-DD
    section Setup
        Module ordered & arrived     :done, 2025-07-01, 2025-07-15
        Basic flash & Wi-Fi test     :done, 2025-07-15, 2025-08-01
    section Streaming
        MJPEG stream working         :done, 2025-08-01, 2025-09-01
    section Enhancements
        Motion detection             :active, 2025-09-01, 2026-03-01
        Web UI & SD card recording   :2026-03-01, 2026-06-01

Links