Prototype of the ESP-NOW based gamepad using two Adafruit Seesaw joysticks, Xiao ESP32-S3 and a 1.8" TFT SPI display.
This custom controller is built on the Xiao ESP32-S3 and communicates via ESP-NOW. It reads two analog joysticks using Adafruit Seesaw modules (I2C) and displays live data on a 1.8" ST7735 TFT screen using the TFT_eSPI library. All key functions run under FreeRTOS, enabling smooth and concurrent execution. The controller transmits structured control data to:
- A mecanum wheel robot platform, and
- A dedicated debug monitor ESP32 for telemetry and diagnostics.
| Part | Model / Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Main MCU | Seeed Studio Xiao ESP32-S3 | ESP-NOW, FreeRTOS, I2C capable |
| Joystick modules (x2) | Adafruit Seesaw | I2C interface, handles buttons too |
| TFT display | 1.8" SPI TFT (ST7735) | 128x160, works with TFT_eSPI |
| Buttons | Built-in via Seesaw | Read as digital GPIO bitmask |
| Misc wiring | Dupont / soldered | Breadboard-friendly prototyping |
| Signal | Xiao ESP32-S3 Pin | Connected Device |
|---|---|---|
| I2C SDA | GPIO 5 | Both Seesaw modules |
| I2C SCL | GPIO 6 | Both Seesaw modules |
| TFT SCLK | GPIO 07 | TFT Display |
| TFT MOSI | GPIO 09 | TFT Display |
| TFT DC | GPIO 04 | TFT Display |
| TFT CS | GPIO 02 | TFT Display |
| TFT RESET | GPIO 03 | TFT Display |
- TFT_eSPI – GPLv3
- Adafruit seesaw library – MIT
- ESP32 Arduino Core (including ESP-NOW and WiFi) – Apache 2.0 / LGPL
For correct operation with the Xiao ESP32-S3 and the 1.8" ST7735 SPI TFT display, make sure your User_Setup.h in the TFT_eSPI library includes the following (or equivalent) definitions:
#define ST7735_DRIVER
#define TFT_WIDTH 128
#define TFT_HEIGHT 160
#define ST7735_REDTAB
#define TFT_MOSI 9
#define TFT_SCLK 7
#define TFT_CS 2
#define TFT_DC 4
#define TFT_RST 3
#define USE_HSPI_PORT
#define SPI_FREQUENCY 27000000
#define SPI_READ_FREQUENCY 20000000
#define SPI_TOUCH_FREQUENCY 2500000
#define TFT_RGB_ORDER TFT_RGB
#define LOAD_GLCD
#define LOAD_FONT2
#define LOAD_FONT4
#define LOAD_FONT6
#define LOAD_FONT7
#define LOAD_FONT8
#define LOAD_GFXFF
#define SMOOTH_FONT
This project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0. See the LICENSE file for full details.