Design and Implementation of ESP32-Based Edge Computing for Object Detection

This paper explores the application of the ESP32 microcontroller in edge computing, focusing on the design and implementation of an edge server system to evaluate performance improvements achieved by integrating edge and cloud computing. Responding to the growing need to reduce cloud burdens and lat...

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Main Authors: Yeong-Hwa Chang, Feng-Chou Wu, Hung-Wei Lin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1656
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author Yeong-Hwa Chang
Feng-Chou Wu
Hung-Wei Lin
author_facet Yeong-Hwa Chang
Feng-Chou Wu
Hung-Wei Lin
author_sort Yeong-Hwa Chang
collection DOAJ
description This paper explores the application of the ESP32 microcontroller in edge computing, focusing on the design and implementation of an edge server system to evaluate performance improvements achieved by integrating edge and cloud computing. Responding to the growing need to reduce cloud burdens and latency, this research develops an edge server, detailing the ESP32 hardware architecture, software environment, communication protocols, and server framework. A complementary cloud server software framework is also designed to support edge processing. A deep learning model for object recognition is selected, trained, and deployed on the edge server. Performance evaluation metrics, classification time, MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) transmission time, and data from various MQTT brokers are used to assess system performance, with particular attention to the impact of image size adjustments. Experimental results demonstrate that the edge server significantly reduces bandwidth usage and latency, effectively alleviating the load on the cloud server. This study discusses the system’s strengths and limitations, interprets experimental findings, and suggests potential improvements and future applications. By integrating AI and IoT, the edge server design and object recognition system demonstrates the benefits of localized edge processing in enhancing efficiency and reducing cloud dependency.
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spelling doaj-art-03df6888ad9c45d0b357fe4e4dd3f5c42025-08-20T01:48:46ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-03-01256165610.3390/s25061656Design and Implementation of ESP32-Based Edge Computing for Object DetectionYeong-Hwa Chang0Feng-Chou Wu1Hung-Wei Lin2Department of Electrical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 333, TaiwanDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 333, TaiwanDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 333, TaiwanThis paper explores the application of the ESP32 microcontroller in edge computing, focusing on the design and implementation of an edge server system to evaluate performance improvements achieved by integrating edge and cloud computing. Responding to the growing need to reduce cloud burdens and latency, this research develops an edge server, detailing the ESP32 hardware architecture, software environment, communication protocols, and server framework. A complementary cloud server software framework is also designed to support edge processing. A deep learning model for object recognition is selected, trained, and deployed on the edge server. Performance evaluation metrics, classification time, MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) transmission time, and data from various MQTT brokers are used to assess system performance, with particular attention to the impact of image size adjustments. Experimental results demonstrate that the edge server significantly reduces bandwidth usage and latency, effectively alleviating the load on the cloud server. This study discusses the system’s strengths and limitations, interprets experimental findings, and suggests potential improvements and future applications. By integrating AI and IoT, the edge server design and object recognition system demonstrates the benefits of localized edge processing in enhancing efficiency and reducing cloud dependency.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1656edge computingtiny machine learningESP32object detection
spellingShingle Yeong-Hwa Chang
Feng-Chou Wu
Hung-Wei Lin
Design and Implementation of ESP32-Based Edge Computing for Object Detection
Sensors
edge computing
tiny machine learning
ESP32
object detection
title Design and Implementation of ESP32-Based Edge Computing for Object Detection
title_full Design and Implementation of ESP32-Based Edge Computing for Object Detection
title_fullStr Design and Implementation of ESP32-Based Edge Computing for Object Detection
title_full_unstemmed Design and Implementation of ESP32-Based Edge Computing for Object Detection
title_short Design and Implementation of ESP32-Based Edge Computing for Object Detection
title_sort design and implementation of esp32 based edge computing for object detection
topic edge computing
tiny machine learning
ESP32
object detection
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1656
work_keys_str_mv AT yeonghwachang designandimplementationofesp32basededgecomputingforobjectdetection
AT fengchouwu designandimplementationofesp32basededgecomputingforobjectdetection
AT hungweilin designandimplementationofesp32basededgecomputingforobjectdetection