GPS + IMU sensor fusion for vehicle dynamics
Real-time position, velocity, and acceleration tracking on ESP32. For track days, autocross, vehicle research, and learning sensor fusion.
Who is this for?
Blackbox is designed for enthusiasts, researchers, and learners
Track Day Enthusiasts
Log your position, speed, and g-forces during sessions. Analyze braking points, cornering speeds, and racing lines.
Engineering Students
Learn sensor fusion hands-on. The codebase demonstrates Extended Kalman Filtering, coordinate transforms, and real-time embedded systems.
Vehicle Researchers
Affordable platform for dynamics studies. Open source means you can modify the algorithms for your specific research needs.
How it compares
Similar capabilities to commercial data loggers at a fraction of the cost
Blackbox
- 7-state Extended Kalman Filter
- 20Hz telemetry over WiFi
- Position, velocity, acceleration, yaw
- Driving mode detection
- Fully open source (MIT)
Commercial Systems
- Professional sensor fusion
- 10-25Hz logging to SD card
- Integrated display (some models)
- Proprietary software
- Closed source, no modifications
Examples: AiM Solo 2 DL (~$1,200), Racelogic VBOX Sport (~$1,800), Motec systems ($3,000+)
Technical Features
What the firmware provides
Sensor Fusion
7-state EKF fuses 200Hz IMU with 5Hz GPS for drift-free position estimates.
Position Tracking
Local coordinate system with automatic GPS warmup and reference point averaging.
Mode Detection
Classifies driving state with configurable presets: Track, Canyon, City, Highway. Detects IDLE, ACCEL, BRAKE, CORNER, and combined states.
WiFi Streaming
HTTP polling at ~20Hz or UDP streaming. Compact binary packets for real-time display.
Mobile Dashboard
Built-in web dashboard. Connect phone to ESP32's WiFi AP, view telemetry in browser.
ZUPT
Zero-velocity updates prevent drift. Bias continuously estimated when stationary.
Open Source
MIT licensed Rust firmware. Python receivers included. Modify freely.
Mobile Dashboard
Built-in real-time telemetry display on your phone
How It Works
- ESP32 creates WiFi network "Blackbox"
- Connect phone to this network
- Open browser to 192.168.71.1
- Live telemetry via HTTP polling (~20Hz)
Dashboard Features
- G-meter with trail and max values
- Speed display with session max
- Mode detection with 6 states and combined modes
- Driving presets: Track, Canyon, City, Highway, Custom
- Record & export to CSV
No app required. Works in any mobile browser. No internet connection needed.
Live G-meter, speed, mode detection, and one-tap driving presets on your phone
WiFi Operating Modes
Two modes available depending on your use case
Access Point Mode (Default)
- ESP32 creates its own WiFi network
- No router or internet required
- Connect phone directly to device
- Dashboard at 192.168.71.1
- Python tools not available
Station Mode
- Connects to your existing WiFi
- UDP streaming to Python receivers
- MQTT status messages
- Multiple clients can receive data
- Requires router/network setup
Mode is set at compile time. See README for build instructions.
Hardware
Four components, all available online
ESP32-C3
RISC-V microcontroller
WT901 IMU
9-axis @ 200Hz
NEO-6M GPS
5Hz updates
WS2812 LED
Status indicator
Flash Firmware
Flash directly from your browser. No toolchain required.