The ESP-FLY DIY kit is a small drone kit based on the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-S3 board. Initially launched as a DIY project by Max Imagination on Instructables, the complete kit can now be purchased for $59.99 at Seeed Studio. Though not the first ESP32 drone, the ESP-FLY is likely the smallest, with its compact 67 x 67 x 31mm quadcopter design that fits in pockets or small boxes. It targets STEM education, hobbyist projects, and indoor flight training.
Key features and specifications include:
– Main Controller: Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-S3 board
– Wireless MCU: Espressif Systems ESP32-S3R8
– CPU: Dual-core Tensilica LX7 microcontroller @ 240 MHz
– Memory: 512 KB SRAM, 8MB PSRAM
– Wireless: Wi-Fi 4 & Bluetooth 5.0 dual-mode
– Storage: 8MB SPI flash
– Antenna: External u.FL antenna
– USB: Type-C port for power and programming
– Flight System
– MPU6050 IMU sensor
– 4x 615 Coreless Motors (70,000 RPM)
– 4x 30mm propellers
– Connectivity
– 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (AP mode) and ESP-NOW
– Control range: 50m via smartphone, 200m via ESP-NOW
– Power
– 3.7V 250mAh 25C LiPo Battery
– Flight Time: ~5 minutes
– Charging: 5V USB-C on the XIAO board
– Dimensions: 67 x 67 x 31mm
– Weight: 25 grams with battery
The firmware is similar to the Circuit Digest LiteWing DIY ESP32 drone’s firmware and is available on GitHub. Control is via the ESP-Drone Android app or an ESP-NOW controller. While the DIY parts cost around $37 according to Instructables, the $59.99 kit at Seeed Studio has everything needed to start. The ESP-FLY kit requires some assembly and soldering, adding to the DIY experience.