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

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.