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Version: FILS English

πŸ” Smart Door Lock with Face Recognition

A secure, AI-powered door lock system using ESP32-CAM and Raspberry Pi Pico 2.

info

Author: Matei-Alexandru TiΘ›Δƒ
GitHub Project Link: https://github.com/UPB-PMRust-Students/project-MateiTita

🧾 Description​

This project implements a smart door lock system that uses face recognition for access control.
The system relies on an ESP32-CAM to detect and recognize faces and streams video live over Wi-Fi.
When a known face is detected, it sends a signal to a Raspberry Pi Pico 2, written in Rust, which activates a servo motor to unlock the door and triggers visual (LED) and audio (buzzer) feedback.

All access events are logged in real time to a connected laptop via USB.

πŸ’‘ Motivation​

The goal of this project is to explore a practical application of embedded systems and machine vision, combining:

  • Offline, low-cost AI via ESP32
  • Embedded Rust programming
  • Real-time feedback and logging
  • A functional and extendable prototype for smart home security

🧠 Architecture​

System Flow​

  1. ESP32-CAM

    • Captures live video
    • Performs face detection and recognition
    • Streams to browser via local IP
    • Sends "GRANT" or "DENY" to Pico over UART

  2. Raspberry Pi Pico 2

    • Waits for serial commands
    • Controls:
      • Servo for door lock
      • LEDs (Green = granted, Red = denied)
      • Buzzer for audio feedback
    • Sends event logs to laptop via USB

  3. Laptop

    • Runs a Python script to receive and timestamp events

Schematic diagram​

πŸ—“οΈ Development Log​

Week 1 – Initial Planning​

I set up and powered the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 and ESP32-CAM, tested the ESP32-CAM by flashing the CameraWebServer example and viewing the live video stream on my laptop, and verified the Pico environment by writing a simple Rust program to blink an LED, confirming basic GPIO control and that both boards were functioning properly.

Week 2 – Core Setup​

Week 3 – Hardware Integration​

Week 4 – Logging and Testing​

πŸ”© Hardware​

Components Used​

ComponentPurpose
ESP32-CAMFace recognition and video streaming
Raspberry Pi Pico 2Hardware control (Rust)
Servo Motor (SG90)Lock/unlock mechanism
Red and Green LEDsVisual status indication
BuzzerAudio feedback
Breadboard + WiresConnections and prototyping
Laptop (USB)Real-time log receiver

Bill of Materials​

ComponentQtyPrice (RON)Total (RON)
ESP32-CAM15050
Raspberry Pi Pico 213535
SG90 Servo12020
LEDs + Buzzer455
Breadboard + Wires11515
Total125

πŸ’» Software​

Tools & Frameworks​

πŸ“· ESP32-CAM​

  • CameraWebServer example
  • Face recognition + streaming over Wi-Fi

πŸ¦€ Raspberry Pi Pico 2​

  • Rust with rp2040-hal, embedded-hal, usb-device
  • UART parser for GRANT/DENY commands
  • PWM control for servo + GPIO for feedback

🐍 Laptop Logger​

  • Python 3 + pyserial
  • Receives USB serial data
  • Timestamps and saves logs to door_log.txt