Building IoT projects using the MQTT protocol is fairly simple. The prerequisites include hardware, tools, and an MQTT broker to carry out the data from the hardware. Even if you’re a novice when it comes to building MQTT projects, there’s no need to worry. You can always begin with some ready-made projects that’ll pave your way to building complex IoT projects using MQTT.
This article covers some simple yet interesting MQTT-based IoT projects that will help any aspirant to get started with hands-on experience in building IoT devices. It talks about the required materials and a brief introduction of each project that’ll establish an interest in this domain.
Touch-less Bell
Touchless bells are best-suited in public areas where lots of people will be touching the bell. It’s like an ordinary bell except that people don’t need to touch it to ring it. Such bells are more useful during COVID-19 and or similar pandemic situations such as bird flu, etc. to avoid touching public items.
For this bell to work, the person is required to bring their finger near the dedicated area. Once the finger is traced, a signal is sent to trigger the bell. It’s fairly easy to build this project at home as you don’t need many accessories to carry out the building process.
The micro-controller will communicate with the Wi-Fi router with the help of the MQTT protocol, which can work with or without the internet. To learn how to make this project at home, please visit this link.
Required Components
Hardware
Here’s a list of electronic parts that’ll be assembled together in a circuit to build the touch-less bell.
- LDR (5Mohm) x1
- LED light x3
- Buzzer x2
- 10k Ohm Resistor x3
- 860 Ohm Resistor x3
- Pushbutton switch (12mm) x2
- Arduino MKR Wi-Fi 1010 x1
(though any other Wi-Fi enabled micro-controller will work)
Software
This project uses Arduino IDE and Tinker CAD. Don’t worry about the coding as this link covers it all.
Mandatory Tools
- A soldering iron will be required to solder all the components in a circuit. You can use a breadboard as a safe place for all the components.
- You can make the body out of plastic or aluminum. For that, you’ll need a laser cutter for cutting the plastic or aluminum sheets precisely.
Gesture-controlled Electronic Devices
Controlling an electronic gadget such as a light bulb, fan, etc. through hand gestures is one of the easiest ways to get started with IoT projects. This project teaches how to turn any electronic component on/off using hand gestures. Think of any electronic device in the real world such as a fan, light bulb, or even an elevator, and you can control them with gestures.
This project uses the MQTT protocol to allow the components to communicate with each other. It’ll help in achieving home automation by eliminating the need to reach out to the electronic equipment’s physical switch present on the wall-mounted switchboard.
Suppose you made this project to control your fan. At the end of this project, you’ll be able to turn on/off your fan by swiping left/right on the gesture sensor respectively. Rotate your hands clockwise/counterclockwise to increase or reduce the fan speed. Doesn’t this sound exciting? It’ll feel like you have super powers.
Find the complete guide on this link.
Required Components
Hardware
- Arduino MKR Wi-Fi 1010 x1
- Seeed Grove- 16x2 LCD x1
- Seeed Grove 12C Hub x1
- Seeed Gesture Sensor (PAJ7620U2) x1
- Seeed Grove 4 Pin Female Jumper x1
Software
You’ll be using Arduino IDE and MQTT Dashboard. Follow the link for coding, circuit diagram, and more.
Mandatory tools
You’ll solder all the items using a soldering iron. For better placement of all the components, use a breadboard.
Mobile Robotic Surveillance
Most security cameras are fixed in place. Although you can stick the camera on top of a radio-controlled car to achieve remote surveillance, that’s not ideal. Why not make an MQTT-based IoT project where you’ll build your mobile robot with a surveillance camera on top of it?
By the end of this project, you’ll be controlling your mobile robot through your mobile app. MQTT protocol will be used to transfer the signals/data for that. You can drive the robot as if playing a car-racing game on your smartphone. Doesn’t that sound exciting? For more information, simply visit this website.
Required Components
Hardware
- Arduino Pro Mini 328- 5v/16Mhz x1
- Tyre and a DC motor along with a gearbox and bracket x1
- Dual H-Bridge Motor Drivers L298 x1
- Raspberry Pi 3 Model B x1
- Raspberry Pi Camera Module x1
- USB to serial FTDI adapter FT232RL x1
Software
You’ll work on Arduino IDE.
Mandatory Tools
- Drill machine
- Saw
- Screwdrivers
- Soldering Iron
- Wire Cutter
IoT-based Pet Feeding System
If you’ve got pet(s) at home, then this project certainly will be of interest to you. The purpose of this project is to build a system that can dispense food upon giving a voice command. You’ll be required to connect this project to Amazon Alexa to give commands to Alexa. Don’t worry, follow this link and it’ll teach you how to do all that step-by-step.
This project makes it possible to dispense food into the food dish remotely so you don’t have to be physically present anywhere near the dish.
Send voice commands to Alexa and Alexa will forward your command to your project with the help of the MQTT protocol.
Required Components
Hardware
- Arduino Nano R3 x1
- Esprissif ESP8266 ESP-01 x1
- SG90 Micro-servo Motor x2
- Pan or Tilt Camera Module x1
- Robotgeek Relay x1
- 5mW Red Dot Laser Module x1
- 3.3v Regulator x1
- FT232RL USB-Serial Converter x1
Software
You’ll be working on Arduino IDE, Amazon Alexa Skills Kit, Google Compute Engine, and Eclipse IoT Broker.
Mandatory Tools
Soldering iron is required to solder all the electronic components.
Motion Detector
As the name suggests, motion detection is possible through a motion sensor. If you’re completely new to IoT and MQTT, then this is probably the best project to begin with. You’ll be detecting motion with the help of a motion sensor. Sounds easy? Simple and straightforward project for any IoT beginner.
Follow this link for complete guidelines.
Required Components
Hardware
- Spark Fun Motion Sensor x1
- Arduino UNO x1
- Generic Jumper Wires x1
Software
You’ll work on opensensors.io and you’ll be required to install the Mosquitto Python module along with the Paho MQTT client.
Mandatory Tools
No mandatory tools other than soldering iron are needed.
Air Quality Monitoring System
Air quality degrades with increased pollution, which causes itchy eyes, sneezing, headaches, etc. Though countless homes have air purifiers nowadays, it’ll be really beneficial to have an air quality monitor. It can provide real-time data related to the air quality in your room. This project will help you gather and view data related to the current air quality in your room. It’s truly a fun project for beginners to get started. Through the use of sensors and microcontrollers, data will be sent to your computer using MQTT protocol. You’ll be able to view your room’s dust density in real-time after the successful completion of this project. All the details are in this link.
Required Components
Hardware
- Arduino Yun x1
- Sharp Plasmaclustur Air Purifier x1
- GP2Y1010AU0F Compact Optical Dust Sensor x1
- Relay Module x1
- Generic Breadboard x1
- 220 uF Capacitor x1
- 150 Ohm Resistor x1
- AC cable (1 meter) x1
- Male to Male Jumper Wires x1
- Male to Female Jumper Wires x1
- Terminal Block x1
- Solder Wire x1
Software
You’ll use Amazon Web Services (AWS IoT), Arduino IDE, Terminal (OS built-in terminal), and Mosquitto (MQTT).
Mandatory Tools
Additional tools include soldering iron, multimeter, and wire stripper.
Plant Health Monitoring
If you’re a gardener who’s cautious about the plants’ health, then perhaps this project is best suited for you. It focuses on gathering data to figure out a plant’s health. Such projects are widely used in modern farming using IoT. You’ll make use of several sensors, which all together will gather data such as temperature, humidity, light, and soil moisture level. These data when collectively will help in learning the current health status of the plants. Obviously, all the data will be sent and received through the MQTT protocol. Though you’ll be using relatively more software and electronic components in this project, there’s still no need to be scared of them. All the details related to this project can be found here.
Required Components
Hardware
- 4 pin DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor x1 10,000 ohm resistor x1 330 ohm resistor x4 Buzzer x1 16x2 RGB backlight LCD screen x1 Light-dependant resistor x1 Raspberry Pi 3 Model B x1 Generic Breadboard x1 MCP3008 ADC x1 Soil Moisture Sensor with screw terminals x1 T-cobbler kit x1 Generic jumper wires x1 5mm red, green, yellow, and white LED x1 (each) Arduino UNO x1 Generic RFID reader x1
Software
You’ll need Microsoft visual studio code, flask, AWS IoT, AWS S3, AWS DynamoDB, and AWS MQTT.
Mandatory Tools
Soldering iron.
Voice-controlled Paper Plane Launcher
This is rather a fun project best suited for beginners. If you’re unable to settle on a project to get started with, try this. By the end of this project, you’ll be able to send voice commands to Amazon Alexa, which will launch paper planes from your model airport. The voice command sent from Alexa to your project will travel through the MQTT protocol. It’s a simple, easy, and straightforward project that won’t require many electronic components. Get the complete guide here.
Required Components
Hardware
- Generic breadboard x1
- Transistor NPN (general purpose) x1
- Generic jumper wires x1
- Generic DC motor x2
- High voltage, high current rated diode (1N4007) x1
- 221-ohm resistor x1
- USB-A to Micro USB cable x1
Software
Amazon Alexa Skills Kit, AWS Lambda, shitfr.io, and Arduino web editor.
Mandatory Tools
Solder iron, cardboard box, and adhesive tape.
Animating Lights
Animating lights is similar to holiday twinkle lights with several lighting patterns. Although those ordinary lights are available ready-made in the market, this project will teach you to make animated lights with cool and exciting animations.
One main reason for opting for this project is because it’s interesting and easy for beginners to get started. You’ll learn the basics of MQTT protocol and IoT, which’ll help you take a deeper dive into the robotics world.
The lights will operate through voice commands with Amazon Alexa as a mediator. First, you’ll give a voice instruction to Alexa and it’ll transfer the data to your device through the MQTT protocol. You’ll get complete details on this link.
Required Components
Hardware
- Arduino UNO x1
- Raspberry Pi 3 Model B (this will be your MQTT client) x1
- Neopixel strip x1
Software
Arduino IDE, AWS Lambda, Amazon Alexa Skills Kit, and AWS IoT.
Mandatory Tools
No special tools are required.
Face Recognition Door Lock (Remote Access)
If you’re looking for home security projects, then probably this one will excite you. It’s capable of locking/unlocking the door based on facial recognition. Obviously, you’ll be required to save all the house members’ facial details in the system. Don’t worry, this link will cover all that in detail.
Another advantage is that it’s remotely accessible. Suppose you’re busy with some work and can’t attend the door, you can unlock/lock the door remotely. The project will receive instructions for that from a Raspberry Pi via MQTT.
Before proceeding please note that you’ll need the use of a 3D printer, as it is required to print the custom lock.
Required Components
Hardware
- Arduino UNO x1
- Raspberry Pi 3 Model B x1
- Raspberry Pi Camera Module x1
- Tower Pro MG996R Servos x1
- 0.25W (8 ohms) Speaker x1
- Sparkfun Mono Audio Amp Breakout (TPA2005D1) x1
- 12mm Push Button switch x1
Software
Amazon Alexa Skills Kit, AWS DynamoDB, AWS S3, AWS IAM, AWS SNS, AWS Rekognition, AWS Poly, AWS Lambda, AWS IoT, AWS SDK, and Arduino IDE.
Mandatory Tools
Generic 3D printer.
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