ESP32 - Motion Sensor - Servo Motor
This tutorial instructs you how to use ESP32 with HC-SR501 motion sensor and Servo Motor. In detail:
- ESP32 automatically rotates servo motor to 90 degree If the motion is detected,
- ESP32 automatically rotates servo motor to back to 0 degree. degree If the motion is NOT detected.
Hardware Used In This Tutorial
1 | × | ESP-WROOM-32 Dev Module | |
1 | × | Micro USB Cable | |
1 | × | HC-SR501 Motion Sensor | |
1 | × | Servo Motor | |
1 | × | Jumper Wires | |
1 | × | (Optional) 5V Power Adapter | |
1 | × | (Optional) DC Power Jack | |
1 | × | (Optional) ESP32 Screw Terminal Adapter |
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Introduction to Servo Motor and Motion Sensor
We have specific tutorials about servo motor and motion sensor. Each tutorial contains detailed information and step-by-step instructions about hardware pinout, working principle, wiring connection to ESP32, ESP32 code... Learn more about them at the following links:
Wiring Diagram

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image
Initial Setting
Detection Range Adjuster | Fully screw it in the clockwise direction. |
Time Delay Adjuster | Fully screw it in the anti-clockwise direction. |
Repeat Trigger Selector | Put jumper like the below image. |

ESP32 Code - Motion Sensor Controls Servo Motor
/*
* This ESP32 code is created by esp32io.com
*
* This ESP32 code is released in the public domain
*
* For more detail (instruction and wiring diagram), visit https://esp32io.com/tutorials/esp32-motion-sensor-servo-motor
*/
#include <Servo.h>
#define MOTION_SENSOR_PIN 17 // ESP32 pin GIOP17 connected to motion sensor's pin
#define SERVO_PIN 26 // ESP32 pin GIOP26 connected to servo motor's pin
Servo servo; // create servo object to control a servo
// variables will change:
int angle = 0; // the current angle of servo motor
int lastMotionState; // the previous state of motion sensor
int currentMotionState; // the current state of motion sensor
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600); // initialize serial
pinMode(MOTION_SENSOR_PIN, INPUT); // set ESP32 pin to input mode
servo.attach(SERVO_PIN); // attaches the servo on pin 9 to the servo object
servo.write(angle);
currentMotionState = digitalRead(MOTION_SENSOR_PIN);
}
void loop() {
lastMotionState = currentMotionState; // save the last state
currentMotionState = digitalRead(MOTION_SENSOR_PIN); // read new state
if (currentMotionState == LOW && lastMotionState == HIGH) { // pin state change: LOW -> HIGH
Serial.println("Motion detected!, rotating servo motor to 90°");
servo.write(90);
} else if (currentMotionState == HIGH && lastMotionState == LOW) { // pin state change: HIGH -> LOW
Serial.println("Motion stopped!, rotating servo motor to 0°");
servo.write(0);
}
}
Quick Instructions
- If this is the first time you use ESP32, see how to setup environment for ESP32 on Arduino IDE.
- Do the wiring as above image.
- Connect the ESP32 board to your PC via a micro USB cable
- Open Arduino IDE on your PC.
- Select the right ESP32 board (e.g. ESP32 Dev Module) and COM port.
- On Arduino IDE, Navigate to Tools Manage Libraries

- Type ESP32Servo on the search box, then look for the keypad library by Mark Stanley, Alexander Brevig
- Click Install button to install servo motor library for ESP32.

- Copy the above code and paste it to Arduino IDE.
- Compile and upload code to ESP32 board by clicking Upload button on Arduino IDE
- Move your hand in front of sensor
- See the change of servo motor
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