WiFIRCard – Smart Appliance Controller with Arduino IDE

Introduction

Controlling appliances with Wi-Fi and IR often requires multiple modules. The WiFIRCardsolves this problem by combining everything into a tiny, credit card-sized board powered by the ESP32-S3.

In this project, we’ll set up WiFIRCard with the Arduino IDE, use Wi-Fi to toggle relays from a web interface, and control IR devices like a TV or AC.

Features We’ll Use

• Dual relays to switch lights/fans/appliances
• IR transmitter/receiver to emulate remote controls
• ESP32-S3 Wi-Fi to host a simple web server
• Onboard LEDs for status indication

Getting Started with Arduino IDE on WiFIRCard

Step 1: Install ESP32 Board Support

• Open Arduino IDE → go to File → Preferences.
• Add the following URL in Additional Board Manager URLs:

https://espressif.github.io/arduino-esp32/package_esp32_index.json

Go to Tools → Board → Board Manager, search for ESP32, and install it.

Step 2: Select WiFIRCard Board

• Go to Tools → Board → ESP32 Arduino → ESP32S3 Dev Module.
• Select correct COM port.

Step 3: Blink Example (Hello World)

#define LED_PIN 2  // Replace with actual onboard LED pin

void setup() {
  pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH);
  delay(500);
  digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);
  delay(500);
}

Upload the code and check the onboard LED blinking. ✅

Step 4: Control Relay via Web Server

#include <WiFi.h>
const char* ssid = "Your_SSID";
const char* password = "Your_PASSWORD";

#define RELAY1 15  // Replace with actual relay GPIO
#define RELAY2 16

WiFiServer server(80);

void setup() {
  pinMode(RELAY1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(RELAY2, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(RELAY1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(RELAY2, LOW);

  Serial.begin(115200);
  WiFi.begin(ssid, password);

  while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
    delay(500);
    Serial.print(".");
  }
  Serial.println("WiFi connected");
  server.begin();
}

void loop() {
  WiFiClient client = server.available();
  if (!client) return;

  String req = client.readStringUntil('\r');
  client.flush();

  if (req.indexOf("/relay1/on") != -1) digitalWrite(RELAY1, HIGH);
  if (req.indexOf("/relay1/off") != -1) digitalWrite(RELAY1, LOW);
  if (req.indexOf("/relay2/on") != -1) digitalWrite(RELAY2, HIGH);
  if (req.indexOf("/relay2/off") != -1) digitalWrite(RELAY2, LOW);

  client.println("HTTP/1.1 200 OK");
  client.println("Content-Type: text/html");
  client.println("");
  client.println("<h1>WiFIRCard Web Control</h1>");
  client.println("<p><a href=\"/relay1/on\">Relay 1 ON</a> | <a href=\"/relay1/off\">Relay 1 OFF</a></p>");
  client.println("<p><a href=\"/relay2/on\">Relay 2 ON</a> | <a href=\"/relay2/off\">Relay 2 OFF</a></p>");
}

Now, connect to your Wi-Fi and open the ESP32 IP in a browser – you can toggle your appliances from anywhere on the local network.

Step 5: IR Remote Example (Send Signal)

Add the IRremoteESP8266library from Arduino IDE Library Manager.

#include <IRremoteESP8266.h>
#include <IRsend.h>

#define IR_LED 4  // Replace with actual IR TX pin
IRsend irsend(IR_LED);

void setup() {
  irsend.begin();
}

void loop() {
  // Example: Send NEC signal for "Power On" (replace with actual code)
  irsend.sendNEC(0x20DF10EF, 32);
  delay(5000);
}

Applications

• Toggle lights/fans via smartphone
• Replace TV/AC remote with WiFIRCard
• Integrate with Alexa/Google Assistant via MQTT or Blynk
• Expand with PIR motion sensors for automation

The WiFIRCardbrings together relays, Wi-Fi, and IR into one board, making smart automation projects much easier. Using the Arduino IDE, you can quickly build web-controlled appliances and IR remote emulators, with plenty of room to expand.

👉 Project built using WiFIRCard, now live on Kickstarter.