PathPal

Inspiration

The idea for PathPal was born while observing the struggles travelers face in busy transportation hubs—especially the elderly, differently-abled, and those with multiple bags. We envisioned a solution that could enhance convenience and reduce physical strain, making mobility smarter and more accessible.

What it does

PathPal is a smart, automated trolley system designed to follow users through complex environments like airports, malls, and campuses, eliminating the need to manually push or pull heavy luggage. Built using an ESP32 microcontroller, PathPal integrates object avoidance, Bluetooth connectivity, and remote control capabilities to offer a seamless mobility experience.

How we built it

Microcontroller: ESP32-WROOM for its wireless capabilities and works as Bluetooth module to connect with user smartphones

Motors: High-torque Johnson motors (300 rpm) for smooth motion

Motor Drivers: Two BTS7960 drivers—one per motor

Sensor Suite: Three ultrasonic sensors (front, left, right) for obstacle avoidance

Power Source: 12V rechargeable lithium battery

Drive System: Two-wheel drive with one caster wheel for balance

Challenges we ran into

Power Management: Ensuring consistent power delivery to motors and logic circuits

Sensor Noise: Filtering ultrasonic data to avoid false positives in obstacle detection

Bluetooth Pairing: Creating a stable and user-friendly pairing process with smartphones

Motor Coordination: Achieving smooth, accurate motion control with dual motor drivers

Form Integration: Making the QR code form interaction intuitive and secure

Accomplishments that we're proud of

-Built a working autonomous trolley using ESP32

-Integrated QR-based user login and Bluetooth control

-Achieved real-time obstacle avoidance with ultrasonic sensors

-Ensured smooth motion using dual BTS7960 motor drivers

-Optimized power with a 12V lithium battery

-Showcased the project at tech events with great feedback

What we learned

Throughout the development of PathPal, we deepened our understanding of:

Microcontroller programming (ESP32), Motor driver integration (BTS7960), Ultrasonic sensors and real-time obstacle detection, Bluetooth communication using ESP32, Power management using a 12V lithium battery and dropping down the voltage for esp32, System design and QR-based interaction for users

We also gained hands-on experience with debugging hardware issues and optimizing sensor placement for reliable performance.