Automatic Bike Turn Signal Project!

What inspired it

I wanted to build something simple that uses motion sensing in a visible, interactive way. A tilt-triggered LED and display combo sounded useful for both learning and prototyping.

What I learned

• How to use the MPU6050 sensor with the ESP32-C6
  
• Reading acceleration and temperature data using the Adafruit_MPU6050 library
  
• Controlling a 4-digit alphanumeric I2C display with Adafruit_LEDBackpack
  
• Using millis() instead of delay() for timed events
  
• Formatting strings with snprintf()
  
• Using PWM to fade LEDs
• Learning to code in C++ and solder header pins

How I built it

• Connected the MPU6050 and display over I2C using Wire.begin(6, 7) on the ESP32
  
• Programmed the device to:
  • Pulse the left LED and display "LEFT" when tilted left
    
  • Pulse the right LED and display "RGHT" when tilted right
    
  • Alternate between showing temperature and "OK" every 3 seconds when level
    
• Used a breadboard for testing

Challenges

• Debugging I2C issues and confirming sensor addresses
  
• Initially set the wrong pins for custom I2C on the ESP32
  
• Designing a case was difficult — my 3D printer is really old and unreliable, so I stuck with its breadboard form. I'm happy to have completed the circuit.

Built With

• adafruit
• arduino
• arduinoide
• c++
• esp32
• i2c