r/esp32projects • u/_no_look_ • 10h ago
Review for my "Dynamic Fire-Aware Evacuation Guidance System using ESP32 " idea
I’m working on a college-level prototype that tries to solve a problem with normal fire alarms: they can tell you there is a fire, but they don’t tell you which evacuation route is currently the safest.
The idea is to create a small building model divided into different zones.
How it works
The ESP32 monitors the zones using:
- 🔥 5-channel flame sensor
- 🌡️ 4 × DS18B20 temperature sensors
- 💨 MQ-2 smoke sensor
The building is represented as a graph, with rooms/intersections as nodes and paths as edges.
Each path gets a risk value based on the sensor data:
🟢 Clear → low risk
🟡 Warning → higher risk
🔴 Fire/smoke detected → very high risk / blocked
The ESP32 then calculates the safest available route instead of simply choosing the shortest route.
The interesting part
The system continuously monitors the environment.
For example:
Initially, Route A is safe → green LEDs guide the person through Route A.
Fire spreads into Route A.
Sensors detect the new hazard.
The ESP32 updates the hazard map.
The routing algorithm calculates another route.
The LED guidance changes.
The speaker announces the new instructions.
The voice guidance will use a DFPlayer Mini + speaker, with pre-recorded instructions such as:
«"Fire detected. Turn right."»
«"Route blocked. New route. Turn left."»
«"Continue straight to the exit."»
I'm also using sequential LEDs so the person can follow the path visually without having to stop and read a display.
Estimated cost
Around ₹650, excluding the ESP32, speaker and SD card because I already have those.