Embedded Electronics + Custom PCB + Firmware + Offline Wi-Fi Web HMI for Motorized Gaming Target Retrieval System

About the project

Project Overview I am developing a battery-operated motorised target retrieval system for a shooting/training range. The system consists of a motorised retrieval mechanism, BLDC motor with an encoder, Gaming target rotation mechanism using a servo motor, battery-operated electronics, and a Wi-Fi-enabled camera. I am looking for an experienced **Embedded Systems / IoT / Robotics / Industrial Automation Engineer** who can develop the complete electronics, firmware and local web-based control system. This is a product-development project. I am looking for someone who can take the system from prototype architecture through custom PCB, firmware, testing and a working prototype. ## Main Requirement The complete machine must be operated from a tablet through a web browser. The system must work **without Internet access**. The machine itself should create its own Wi-Fi network. Example: **Tablet → Wi-Fi → Retrieval System** The operator should connect the tablet directly to the machine's Wi-Fi and open the control interface through a web browser. No cloud server, SIM card, external Internet connection or external Wi-Fi router should be required for normal operation. ## Main Hardware The system will include: 1. BLDC motor for retrieval movement 2. Encoder connected to the BLDC motor 3. BLDC motor driver/controller 4. Servo motor for target rotation 5. Battery-powered power system 6. Battery monitoring 7. Wi-Fi-enabled embedded controller 8. Wi-Fi camera 9. Limit/home sensors 10. Emergency stop/safety inputs 11. Motor current monitoring 12. Position/distance monitoring 13. Status/fault indication 14. Appropriate industrial connectors 15. Custom PCB The final electronics architecture can be proposed by the engineer after understanding the motor, encoder, servo and battery specifications. ## Motor Control The controller must be capable of controlling the retrieval motor with encoder feedback. Required functions may include: * Forward * Reverse * Stop * Variable speed * Position/distance control * Homing * Encoder feedback * Travel distance monitoring * Motor fault detection * Over-current protection * Stall detection * Limit switch detection The engineer should propose the appropriate control architecture for reliable operation. ## Target Rotation A servo motor will rotate the target. The system should support: * Rotate left * Rotate right * Preset angular positions * Position feedback where applicable * Controlled acceleration/deceleration if required * Servo fault/status monitoring The final servo interface and control method can be proposed by the engineer. ## Local Wi-Fi and Web Interface The embedded controller should create its own Wi-Fi Access Point. The tablet should connect directly to the machine. The operator should be able to open the control interface using Chrome/Safari or another standard browser. The web interface should initially include: ### Main Screen * Machine status * Battery status * Wi-Fi status * Motor status * Current position * Target status * Fault indication ### Retrieval Control * Forward * Reverse * Stop * Home * Set speed * Set distance * Go to position ### Target Rotation * Left * Right * Preset angle * 0° * 90° * 180° * 270° * Custom angle if technically feasible ### Camera * Camera status * Camera ON/OFF or trigger if required * Video access/preview if technically feasible ### Diagnostics * Battery voltage * Battery percentage * Motor current * Encoder position * Motor temperature if sensor is available * Servo position/status * Fault history * System status ## Offline Operation This is a critical requirement. The machine must continue to operate when there is no Internet signal. The system should use its own local Wi-Fi network and local web server. All essential control functions must work locally without cloud connectivity. ## Electronics / PCB Requirements The engineer should design a production-oriented PCB including appropriate: * MCU * Wi-Fi * Power regulation * Battery management/interface * Motor-control interfaces * Encoder interface * Servo interface * Sensor inputs * Limit-switch inputs * Emergency-stop input * Current/voltage monitoring * Protection circuits * Communication interfaces * Industrial connectors * Test points * Programming/debug interface PCB should be designed considering: * Electrical noise * Motor EMI * Grounding * Power integrity * RF/Wi-Fi performance * Thermal management * Reliability * Manufacturability * Serviceability Preferred PCB software: * Altium * KiCad * OrCAD ## Firmware Preferred experience: * Embedded C/C++ * ESP-IDF * FreeRTOS * ESP32/ESP32-S3 * Motor control * Encoder processing * Servo control * Wi-Fi Access Point * Embedded Web Server * WebSocket/REST/local communication where appropriate * Fault handling * Watchdog * Data logging ## Deliverables The selected engineer/team must be capable of delivering: 1. System block diagram 2. Electrical architecture 3. Complete schematic 4. Component selection 5. PCB layout 6. PCB source files 7. Gerber files 8. BOM with manufacturer part numbers 9. Pick-and-place files if applicable 10. Firmware source code 11. Embedded web application source code 12. Wi-Fi configuration 13. Wiring diagram 14. Connector pinout 15. PCB 3D/STEP model if applicable 16. Prototype PCB 17. Assembled and tested prototype 18. Firmware flashing procedure 19. Testing procedure 20. Fault/error documentation 21. Final engineering documentation ## Development Approach I prefer the project to be developed in two stages. ### Stage 1 — Functional Prototype Demonstrate: **Tablet → Local Wi-Fi → Embedded Controller → BLDC Motor + Encoder + Servo** and prove reliable operation. ### Stage 2 — Production PCB After successful functional testing, develop the final custom PCB and production-ready electronics. ## Candidate Requirements Please apply only if you have real experience in: * ESP32/ESP32-S3 * Embedded systems * PCB design * BLDC motor control * Encoder feedback * Servo motor control * Robotics or industrial automation * Battery-powered systems * Local Wi-Fi * Embedded web interfaces * Firmware development * Product prototyping ## Portfolio Requirement Please provide at least 3 relevant previous projects. I am particularly interested in seeing: 1. BLDC/servo/encoder/motor-control projects 2. Battery-operated ESP32 or similar products 3. Custom PCB projects 4. Local Wi-Fi/web-controlled devices 5. Robotics/industrial automation products 6. Complete hardware + firmware products Arduino LED/sensor projects alone are not sufficient for this project. ## Important I am looking for an engineer who can take responsibility for the **complete electronics and embedded control system**, rather than only designing the PCB. The final objective is a reliable working product that can subsequently be manufactured in quantity. Please include in your proposal: * Your relevant experience * Similar projects * Portfolio * MCU/platform you recommend * Proposed system architecture * Estimated development time * Estimated cost * Prototype cost * PCB manufacturing/assembly experience * Whether you can provide a complete working prototype * Whether you can provide all source files and documentation All project-specific design files, firmware source code and intellectual property developed under this project must be transferred to the client upon completion.

Skills required