Product details

General Driver for Robots

Robot Control Boards and Computing Components

Waveshare

General Driver for Robots

About this product

Waveshare General Driver for Robots is a programmable ESP32-WROOM-32UE controller board for mobile robots, arms and pan-tilt mechanisms. It combines encoder motor interfaces, a serial-servo bus, a nine-axis IMU, voltage/current monitoring and a lidar UART-to-USB bridge. Raspberry Pi or Jetson hosts can communicate through the 40-pin header. The 253-servo address capacity is subject to power limits: the official FAQ limits long-term bus-servo output to 5 A. High-power PWM servos such as MG996R and MG90S are not supported. The specifications and exact-board gallery refer to the currently documented WROOM-32UE form; current commercial availability and release date are unverified.

Model
General Driver for Robots
Category
Robot Control Boards and Computing Components, Components

Specifications & evidence

Source-backed claims. Configuration, workload and evidence type matter when comparing products.

Antenna connector

IPEX1

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Antenna connector IPEX1

Board dimensions

65 × 65 mm

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Dimensions 65 × 65mm

Combined imu axes

9 axes

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Onboard 9-axis IMU to obtain attitude and heading information at any time

Compass ic

AK09918C

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
AK09918C 3-axis electronic compass

Compatible battery series

2S or 3S lithium battery

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer battery-series compatibility claim; input must remain within the separately specified 7–13 V range.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Supports 7~13V power input, and can be powered directly by 2S or 3S lithium battery module

Control chip

ESP32

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Control chip ESP32

Controller module

ESP32-WROOM-32UE

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
control module ESP32-WROOM-32UE

Dc motor controller ic

TB6612FNG

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
TB6612FNG Motor Control Chip

Development environment

Arduino IDE

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
ESP32-WROOM-32UE controller module Can be developed using Arduino IDE

Download connector

USB Type-C

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Download interface Type-C

Encoder dc motor channels

2 channels

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Onboard motor control interfaces for 2x DC motor with encoder or 4x DC motor (2 groups) without encoder

Encoder motor connector

PH2.0 6P

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Motor interface PH2.0 6P Group B interface for motor with encoder

Firmware download circuit

Automatic; no EN/BOOT button press required

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Automatic download circuit For Uploading programs to the ESP32 without pressing the EN and BOOT buttons

Host communication

Serial port or I2C

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Onboard 40PIN GPIO header for connecting and powering the host computer (Raspberry Pi/Jetson Nano, etc), communicating via serial port or I2C

Host header

40 pins

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Onboard 40PIN GPIO header for connecting and powering the host computer (Raspberry Pi/Jetson Nano, etc), communicating via serial port or I2C

Host regulator output

5 V

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
DC-DC 5V voltage regulator circuit Power supply for host computers such as Raspberry Pi or Jetson nano

I2c expansion

OLED, IMU and other I2C devices

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
I2C interface for connecting peripherals such as OLED, IMU, and other I2C devices

Lidar interface

UART-to-USB bridge

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Onboard Laser Lidar interface and integrated UART to USB function

Long-term bus-servo output current

5 A

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer FAQ long-term output limit at the bus-servo control interface, governed by its switch. Servo count depends on operating conditions.

General Driver for Robots - Waveshare Wiki
For the General Driver for Robots, the current output limit for bus servos is controlled by a switch, with a maximum current of 5A for long-term operation; the number of servos specifically depends on their operating conditions.

Motion sensor ic

QMI8658C

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
QMI8658C 6-axis motion sensor

Mounting hole diameter

3 mm

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Mounting hole diameter 3mm

Mounting hole spacing

49 × 58 mm

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
mounting hole spacing 49 × 58mm

Non-encoder dc motor capacity

4 motors

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Alternative to two encoder-motor channels. Four non-encoder motors are arranged in two groups; this is not four independently controlled axes.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Onboard motor control interfaces for 2x DC motor with encoder or 4x DC motor (2 groups) without encoder

Non-encoder motor connector

PH2.0 2P

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Motor interface PH2.0 2P Group A interface for motor without encoder

Power connector

XH2.54

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Power interface XH2.54

Pwm servo restriction

MG996R, MG90S and other high-power PWM servos unsupported; WP90 recommended

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver for Robots - Waveshare Wiki
The PWM servos used in this board do not support the MG996R Servo and MG90S Servo sold on the official website, as well as other high-power PWM servos. The recommended PWM servo for this driver board is the WP90 Servo

Serial-servo address capacity

253 servos

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Theoretical UART address capacity for ST3215 serial bus servos; sufficient power required. Official FAQ separately limits long-term output to 5 A; not a 253-servo power guarantee.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Note: One channel UART can control up to 253 bus servos, but due to the high power of the servos, it is necessary to consider whether the power supply solution is enough when using too many servos.

Storage expansion

TF card slot

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
TF card slot Can be used to store logs or WIFI configurations

Supply voltage

7–13 V

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Power supply DC 7~13V

Voltage/current monitor ic

INA219

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
INA219 voltage/current monitoring chip

Wireless communication

WiFi, Bluetooth, ESP-NOW

Manufacturer specification

Configuration: General Driver for Robots; Manufacturer exact-model board specification. External motors, servos and host computers are not included in this board rating.

General Driver board for Robots, Based on ESP32, multi-functional, supports WIFI, Bluetooth and ESP-NOW communications, Compatible with Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, ESP32-WROOM-32UE, ESP32 Dev Board
Wireless communication WIFI, Bluetooth, ESP-NOW

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info@robotuo.com

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