Build Your First IoT Project: Smart Light System

What You’ll Need:

• An Arduino or Raspberry Pi
• WiFi Module (e.g., ESP8266)
• An LED and Resistors
• A smartphone with an IoT app (e.g., Blynk)

Steps:

1. Connect the Hardware

Follow these connections for the ESP8266 and Arduino:

• VCC (ESP8266) to 3.3V (Arduino)
• GND (ESP8266) to GND (Arduino)
• CH_PD (ESP8266) to 3.3V (Arduino)
• TX (ESP8266) to RX (Arduino)
• RX (ESP8266) to TX (Arduino)

Next, connect the LED:

• Long leg (anode) of the LED to pin 13 on Arduino.
• Short leg (cathode) of the LED to a 220-ohm resistor.
• Other end of the resistor to GND on Arduino.

2. Install the Blynk App

Download the Blynk app on your smartphone and create a new project. Select your board type (Arduino) and set the connection type to ESP8266.

Copy the Auth Token from Blynk and save it for later.

3. Upload the Code

Below is the code you'll upload to your Arduino:

#include 
#include 

// Replace with your network credentials
char ssid[] = "your_SSID";         // Your Wi-Fi SSID
char pass[] = "your_PASSWORD";     // Your Wi-Fi password

// Your Blynk Auth Token
char auth[] = "your_BLYNK_AUTH_TOKEN";  

// Set the LED pin
int ledPin = 13;  // Pin where the LED is connected

void setup() {
  // Start serial communication
  Serial.begin(9600);

  // Connect to Wi-Fi
  Blynk.begin(auth, ssid, pass);

  // Set LED pin as output
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  // Run Blynk background process
  Blynk.run();
}

// Virtual Pin for controlling the LED (V1 in Blynk app)
BLYNK_WRITE(V1) {
  int pinValue = param.asInt();  // Get the value from Blynk (0 or 1)
  digitalWrite(ledPin, pinValue);  // Turn the LED on/off based on the value
}
            

4. Create the Blynk App Interface

Open the Blynk app and add a Button widget to control the LED. Set it to Virtual Pin V1 to match the code.

5. Test the System

Once the code is uploaded to your Arduino, open the Blynk app and press the button to control the LED. The LED will turn on or off based on the app’s button state.

Additional Features You Can Add:

• Dimming the LED: Use a slider to control brightness via PWM.
• Color Changing: Use an RGB LED and a color picker in Blynk.
• Multiple Devices: Control more LEDs or other devices from the Blynk app.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve created your first IoT-enabled smart light system. Now you can explore adding more sensors and devices to create even more powerful IoT solutions!