Enhanced Vending Machine Control: Introducing the LILYGO T-Vending Board – ESP32-S3 Based IoT Solution with RS485 and Cellular Connectivity
The LILYGO T-Vending board is a purpose-built ESP32-S3 WiFi and Bluetooth IoT board explicitly designed for vending machines. With its robust set of features and connectivity options, it offers a convenient solution for vending machine control and management.
The board stands out with its support for RS485 communication, allowing seamless integration with vend motors and other vending machine components. Including a microSD card slot provides storage capabilities, while the optional mPCIe slot enables adding a cellular module for 4G LTE connectivity. This cellular module offers the potential for remote monitoring and managing vending machines.
The ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 wireless module provides reliable WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing for wireless communication and control. The 8MB PSRAM and 16MB SPI flash offer sufficient memory and storage for running applications and storing data.
The board’s expansion options include a 4-pin Grove connector for UART communication and a 12-pin GPIO header for additional interfacing. The 10-pin connector provides power input, UART, PULSE, GPIOs, and ground connections. These expansion capabilities offer flexibility for customization and integration with various peripherals and sensors.
The LILYGO T-Vending board’s compact form factor, measuring 102 x 46 x 12.5mm, allows for easy installation and integration into vending machine systems. Including a reset and boot button adds convenience during the development and testing phases.
While the board comes with a helpful 10-pin cable, header, and screws, it would have been beneficial to have a complete example project provided by LILYGO to guide users in integrating the board into vending machine applications. However, the availability of the PDF schematic and Arduino code samples on GitHub offers a starting point for customization and development.
Overall, the LILYGO T-Vending board presents a compelling option for vending machine control, combining the power of the ESP32-S3 microcontroller, versatile connectivity options, and expansion capabilities. With its affordable price point and availability on platforms like
AliExpress, it offers a cost-effective solution for vending machine automation and management.
One can purchase T-PCIe modules like the SIM7600 models, available at prices ranging from $36 to $51, depending on the selected region.
Features of ESP32-S3 Based Vending Machine
- Purpose-built ESP32-S3 WiFi and Bluetooth IoT board designed for vending machines
- Support for RS485 communication for seamless integration with vending machine components
- Inclusion of a microSD card slot for storage capabilities
- Optional mPCIe slot for adding a cellular module for 4G LTE connectivity
- Reliable WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity with ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 wireless module
- 8MB PSRAM and 16MB SPI flash for ample memory and storage
- Expansion options including a 4-pin Grove connector for UART communication
- 12-pin GPIO header for additional interfacing
- 10-pin connector for power input, UART, PULSE, GPIOs, and ground connections
- Compact form factor measuring 102 x 46 x 12.5mm for easy installation and integration
- Reset and boot button for convenient development and testing
- It comes with a 10-pin cable, header, and screws for easy connection
- Availability of PDF schematic and Arduino code samples on GitHub for customization and development
