Connection Profiles for a PiCar Session
BLECar begins with a connection workflow built around the vehicle endpoint. Users can enter the address for the PiCar service, choose the Local option when the setup calls for it, and press Connect to start a session. The app's connection model supports a direct IP path or a PiCar Wi-Fi access point, so the phone can be matched to the way the embedded platform is configured.
Keeping the endpoint and connection state on the opening screen makes the first task easy to understand: establish the link before trying to drive. The visible Disconnected state also gives users a clear status when no vehicle is attached. This layout suits robotics demonstrations, bench experiments, and small remote-vehicle projects where connection details may change between sessions.
Single or Dual Joystick Driving
The main control task is remote handling: use a single joystick for a compact control scheme or a dual arrangement when separating the driving axes is more comfortable. BLECar is intended to send steering and acceleration input to the connected PiCar, turning an Android phone into the operator's control surface rather than a passive status viewer.
That choice helps different setups balance simplicity and precision. A single control can keep a short demonstration approachable, while two one-axis controls give experienced users clearer separation between direction and speed. The feature is especially relevant to prototype vehicles, classroom robotics, and hands-on demonstrations in which the operator needs immediate, direct control over movement.
Video and Map Views for Vehicle Feedback
Driving can be paired with visual feedback instead of relying only on joystick input. BLECar can expose a live video feed from the platform's on-board camera when the video option is enabled, giving the operator a direct view of the remote vehicle's surroundings.
A location view adds another way to follow the session: when the locate service is available, the map centers on the Pi's current coordinates. These views are useful when a project needs both control and orientation, whether the phone is guiding a small vehicle across a clear space or monitoring where the platform is operating. Availability depends on the connected hardware and services.
Ultrasonic Distance Readouts
An ultrasonic measurement option adds simple distance information to the remote-control workflow. Users can enable the sensor display when they want feedback from the vehicle platform alongside manual steering and acceleration, making the phone more useful for experiments involving movement and nearby obstacles.
The reading is a separate aid rather than a replacement for careful operation. It fits demonstrations of connected sensors, small robotics projects, and controlled driving exercises where observing distance helps explain what the platform is receiving. Because the measurement depends on the PiCar hardware and its sensor service, the connected setup determines whether this view is available during a session.
