Lizard is a remote-controlled race car project published by TRDB. It’s all 3D printed components minus the wheels and powered by a custom electronics system based on the ESP32 microcontroller. Designed to be customizable, the Lizard features a rear-wheel drive system with open differential, independent suspension, and double Cardan joints. The drivetrain and chassis are printed using PETG filament, while select flexible parts utilize TPU. The car and the remote operate using ESP32 microcontrollers. This allows wireless communication via the ESP-NOW protocol.
The architecture supports Motor RPM sensing through an optical sensor, Battery voltage and current monitoring via an ACS712 sensor, Temperature monitoring using NTC thermistors on the motor and motor driver, & Real-time telemetry with an optional second ESP32 acting as a data receiver. The onboard electronics include a PCA9685 PWM driver, ADS1115 ADC, and MOSFETs for controlling LEDs and cooling fans.
The motor is powered by a brushed 775 DC motor. The LiPo battery offers over 30 minutes of runtime, and the motor achieves speeds up to 48 km/h, confirmed via GPS tracking. The gearbox design utilizes herringbone gears with a 4.86:1 gear ratio. A fully custom-built remote control includes DIY joysticks based on precision potentiometers and dual 0.96” OLED displays for real-time feedback.
The cost of building it is estimated to be around €950, though this can vary depending on the availability of components. Detailed STL and STEP files, assembly guides, and source code are available on the creator’s GitHub repository. This open-source project is detailed in an Instructables post.
