A WiFi-enabled environmental monitoring system that tracks temperature, humidity, air quality, and smoke/gas levels. The system displays real-time data on an LCD screen and transmits it to ThingSpeak cloud for remote monitoring. Includes alert triggers when readings exceed safe thresholds.
Technologies Used
Hardware:
ESP32 WiFi microcontroller
DHT11 temperature/humidity sensor
MQ-series gas/smoke sensors
20x4 LCD with I2C interface
Prototyping board and acrylic enclosure
Software:
Arduino IDE with ESP32 core
WiFiManager library for network configuration
ThingSpeak IoT platform
Custom firmware for sensor data processing
Challenges
Integrating multiple sensor inputs with stable readings
Implementing reliable WiFi connectivity in different environments
Calibrating gas sensor readings for accurate percentage display
Power management for continuous operation
Data synchronization between local display and cloud platform
Results
Successful deployment of 15 monitoring units across test locations
98% data transmission reliability to ThingSpeak cloud
40% faster response time to environmental changes compared to previous systems
Reduced component costs by 25% through optimized design
Public dashboard available at: https://thingspeak.mathworks.com
Lessons Learned
I2C communication requires careful pin mapping on ESP32
WiFiManager provides more reliable connections than hardcoded credentials
Sensor calibration needs regular maintenance for consistent readings
