Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Did you know the 2015 Steam Controller had a hidden secret inside?
In this video, I explain how Valve's original hardware actually included a dormant Nordic nRF51822 chip capable of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) from day one! A firmware update in 2018 finally unlocked this feature, letting us connect it to more than just a PC.
I’m taking advantage of this "secret" feature to pair the controller with an ESP32-S3 microcontroller, turning it into a high-precision, haptic-feedback controller for my DIY RC car project.
#SteamController #ESP32 #DIYElectronics #RCcar #EmbeddedSystems #TechHacks #Arduino #Maker #BluetoothLE #Engineering
Did you know the 2015 Steam Controller had a hidden secret inside?
In this video, I explain how Valve's original hardware actually included a dormant Nordic nRF51822 chip capable of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) from day one! A firmware update in 2018 finally unlocked this feature, letting us connect it to more than just a PC.
I’m taking advantage of this "secret" feature to pair the controller with an ESP32-S3 microcontroller, turning it into a high-precision, haptic-feedback controller for my DIY RC car project.
#SteamController #ESP32 #DIYElectronics #RCcar #EmbeddedSystems #TechHacks #Arduino #Maker #BluetoothLE #Engineering
![[USB-Serial] Android Phone + ESP32-LoRa Module + Chat App = Text Transceiver!](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4GVH3JicaPo/mqdefault.jpg "[USB-Serial] Android Phone + ESP32-LoRa Module + Chat App = Text Transceiver!
Overview:
This project combines an Android chat app with an ESP32-based LoRa module to enable the wireless transmission of short messages. The Android app provides a user-friendly interface for sending and receiving messages, while the LoRa module facilitates long-range communication between the app and physical devices.
Workflow:
1. Android app establishes USB-Serial connection with ESP32 module.
2. Messages are sent from the app to the ESP32 module via USB-Serial.
3. ESP32 module transmits the messages wirelessly using LoRa.
4. Received messages are forwarded from the ESP32 module to the recipients app via USB-Serial.
5. Messages are displayed to the recipient.
Benefits:
- Long-range communication capability
- Low power consumption for extended device operation
- Internet-independent communication
This project enables wireless short message transmission by integrating an Android chat app with an ESP32-based LoRa module, offering users a convenient way to communicate over long distances without relying on internet connectivity.
[Google Play - LoRa Chat App ]
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thatproject.lora_chat
[ESP32+LoRa(915Mhz)]
https://amzn.to/3NcxCIP
[ESP32-LoRa(SX1262) Source Code]
https://github.com/0015/ThatProject/tree/master/ESP32-LoRa/Chat_APP_SX1262
#Transceiver #ESP32 #LoRa #Android #ChatApp #UART #ThatProject")
![[Part. 2] ESP32 Local Map Project! #tech #gps #esp32](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/67AnMC8JCGw/mqdefault.jpg "[Part. 2] ESP32 Local Map Project! #tech #gps #esp32
This is an early demo of my ongoing project to create an offline GPS map viewer using the ESP32. Inspired by a similar Raspberry Pi and E-Paper build, this version aims to load map tiles from an SD card and display the current GPS location—completely without internet. Stay tuned for updates as the project progresses!
[Offline MAP, GPS Tracker with E-Paper Display | Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W Portable Map Project]
https://youtu.be/xLXnn48pIV4
[ESP32-S3 1.75inch AMOLED]
https://www.waveshare.com/esp32-s3-touch-amoled-1.75.htm?&aff_id=116255
[Waveshare ESP32-S3 1.75inch AMOLED Round Touch Display]
https://amzn.to/48xaMYE")
