Project Third Eye

Your umwelt is your personal bubble of sensory perception that allows you to perceive the world you are in. I expanded upon my umwelt by creating a third eye that would face behind oneself to grant rear-facing vision.

1. ESP-32 Cam w module
2. Data transfer cable
3. Portable battery bank
4. Computer/laptop
5. Arduino IDE software
6. Tinkercad
7. Bambu Slicer
8. Wifi or hotspot connection
9. Wireless Internet browsing device of choice (ie. phone or tablet)
10. 3D printer w filament (ie. PLA)

• Download the Arduino IDE from arduino.cc and follow the installation instructions for your operating system.

• Open the Arduino IDE.

• Go to File > Preferences and add the following URL to the Additional Board Manager URLs:

https://dl.espressif.com/dl/package_esp32_index.json.

• Go to Tools > Board > Board Manager, search for “ESP32,” and install the package.

• Use a USB-to-serial data transfer cable and connect the ESP32-CAM to your computer.

• In Arduino IDE, go to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries, search for “ESP32,” and install the required libraries.

• Go to File > Examples > ESP32 > Camera > CameraWebServer and open the example sketch.

• In the code, locate the following lines:

const char* ssid = "your-SSID";

const char* password = "your-PASSWORD";

1. Replace "your-SSID" with your WiFi or Hotspot name and "your-PASSWORD" with the corresponding password.

• Go to Tools > Board and select AI-Thinker ESP32-CAM.

• Select the correct COM port under Tools > Port.

• Press and hold the BOOT button on the ESP32-CAM while clicking the Upload button in Arduino IDE.

• Release the BOOT button once you see “Connecting…” in the IDE.

• After a successful upload, open the Serial Monitor, set the baud rate to 115200, and press the RESET button on the ESP32-CAM.

• Note the URL displayed in the Serial Monitor.

• Disconnect the ESP32-CAM from the computer.

• Plug it into a portable battery using the same connections.

• Open the noted URL in your smartphone browser to test the live video feed.

• Use Tinkercad to design the “eye” housing to fit the ESP32-CAM and the battery.

• Measure the ESP32-CAM dimensions with calipers and create a model in Tinkercad.

• Export the Tinkercad design as an STL or OBJ file and slice it in Bambu Slicer.

• Export the file into a microSD card then transfer the card to a 3D printer and print

• Test-fit the ESP32-CAM into the 3D-printed housing.

• Place the ESP32-CAM securely into the 3D-printed eye.

• Connect it to the portable battery with cable.

• Power on the battery.

• Open the camera feed URL on your phone browser to confirm everything is functioning.

• Make any necessary adjustments to the housing, connections, or video settings.

• Attach the eye securely to your wearable setup.

• Enjoy your third eye.

• Also note the ESP32-CAM is unreliable and flimsy