Smart Car Wipe Dispenser
An end-to-end embedded and IoT system for dispensing individual car wipes in self-service car washes. Built around a custom ESP32 PCB with RFID roll validation, real-time telemetry, and remote cloud monitoring via AWS IoT and MQTT.
Smart Dispenser for Car Care
Designed specifically for use at self-service car washes, this machine dispenses single-use microfiber car wipes. The unit offers a clean, efficient, and automated method for customers to purchase polishing cloths on-site enhancing the vehicle detailing experience without staff interaction.
The dispenser features a robust build with a front-facing delivery bay, coin and contactless payment modules, and internal storage for high-capacity wipe rolls. Its compact design, reliability in outdoor conditions, and minimal maintenance requirements make it an ideal fit for high-traffic locations.
Custom Embedded Control System
At the core of the dispenser is a custom-designed PCB powered by an ESP32 microcontroller. It manages motor actuation, coin and RFID validation, vibration-based theft detection, and power regulation. The firmware, written in C++, ensures reliable handling of all real-time operations—from fabric cutting to credit verification.
Each wipe roll is tagged with a unique RFID chip, enabling automatic credit transfer and roll validation. The machine’s embedded system is built for high durability in outdoor, high-usage environments, ensuring uninterrupted service.
Cloud Telemetry and Remote Management
A complete telemetry pipeline connects the machine to the cloud via Wi-Fi and MQTT, with ESP32 devices sending sensor data—including wipe count, coin status, fault codes, and environmental conditions—to AWS IoT Core. From there, Lambda functions process and store messages in a DynamoDB database.
A web dashboard built on top of this system enables real-time monitoring and full remote control. Admins can reset counters, clear faults, or disable machines remotely. Alerts are triggered automatically in critical situations, ensuring swift response and reducing maintenance overhead.